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Require the French hypodermic (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

needle

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'hypodermic' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'require the french' is the wordplay.
'require' becomes 'need' (synonyms).
'the french' becomes 'le' ('the' in French).
'need'+'le'='NEEDLE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for needle that I've seen before include "narrow-eyed one" , "Thin pointer; antagonise" , "It's vital to baste" , "It indicates the reading on a measuring instrument" , "Wind up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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