Crossword Genius

Origins of Android not British (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

roots

'origins' is the definition.
('root' can be a synonym of 'origin')

'of android not british' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'rots' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

(Other definitions for roots that I've seen before include "Beginnings, origins" , "Origins, of plants or people" , "Antecedents" , "Supports" , "Genealogy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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