Crossword Genius

Perhaps an Iranian, is nowhere near by metric system (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

farsi

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'system' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for farsi that I've seen before include "Modern Persian lang." , "Language of Iran" , "Persian language" , "Iran's official language" , "Iranian language, also widely spoken in Afghanistan" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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