Crossword Genius

Not quite a sacred river (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alph

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'river' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for alph that I've seen before include "'Kubla Khan' river" , "Coleridge's sacred river" , "poetic river can be seen" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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