Crossword Genius

Not surprisingly, it's a ring of land (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

atoll

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'land' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both natural objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'not surprisingly it's a ring' is the wordplay.
'not surprisingly' becomes 'a' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'it's a ring' becomes 'toll' (ring a bell).
'a'+'toll'='ATOLL'

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for atoll that I've seen before include "Circular coral reef" , "Coral island surrounding a lagoon" , "Key" , "Coral island(s) surrounding a lagoon" , "Ring-shaped coral reef enclosing a lagoon" .)

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