Crossword Genius

Polish capital ruined by lost war but it is in the past (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

was

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'is in the past' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for was that I've seen before include "(He/she/it) existed" , "Existed in the past" , "(I/he) existed" , "'Is, in the past (3)'" , "Lived" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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