Crossword Genius

Preserve English sugar supplier? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cane

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'sugar supplier?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'preserve english' is the wordplay.
'preserve' becomes 'can' (canning is a kind of preserving).
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'can'+'e'='CANE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cane that I've seen before include "Slender stem of bamboo etc" , "Eg, rattan" , "Slender support for a plant" , "Flog" , "Slender support, for 32 across say" .)

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