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Modifying word in clear piece of writing (8,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

definite article

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'clear piece of writing' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'modifying word' is the wordplay.
'modifying' becomes 'definite' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'word' becomes 'article' (article is a kind of word).
'definite'+'article'='DEFINITE ARTICLE'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for definite article that I've seen before include "Maybe the" , "Black and white feature in paper" , "In English, it's always the" , "part of speech" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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