Crossword Genius

Not the setter, but the setter free! (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

springer

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'free' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for springer that I've seen before include "hound" , "Kind of spaniel" , "Breed of spaniel" , "A spaniel; stone in arch" , "A bounder" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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