Crossword Genius

Poor old USA: true/untrue? (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

adulterous

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'poor' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'old usa trueuntrue?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'old' could be 'o' (abbreviation as in OT - Old Testament) and 'o' is present in the answer.
'usa' could be 'us' (synonyms) and 'us' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for adulterous that I've seen before include "untrue" , "Betraying a legal partner" .)

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