Crossword Genius

Pickpockets backing Queen Huntsman? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spider

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'huntsman?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.

'pickpockets backing queen' is the wordplay.
'pickpockets' becomes 'dips' ('dip' can be a synonym of 'pickpocket').
'backing' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'queen' becomes 'ER' (abbreviation for Elizabeth Regina).
'dips' backwards is 'spid'.
'spid'+'er'='SPIDER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spider that I've seen before include "Small creature" , "One has eight legs" , "Creepy-crawly" , "Snooker-cue rest" , "Miss Muffet frightener?" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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