Crossword Genius

Rhetorical strategy from Press Secretary, ultimately (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

irony

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'rhetorical strategy' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'press secretary ultimately' is the wordplay.
'press' becomes 'iron' (ironing is a kind of pressing).
'ultimately' suggests the final letters.
The final letter of 'secretary' is 'y'.
'iron'+'y'='IRONY'

'from' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for irony that I've seen before include "Kind of sarcasm, sounds metallic" , "sarcastic wit" , "Figure of speech" , "situation showing incongruity" , "Use of words to convey the opposite of what they normally mean" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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