Ropy form of washer (6)

I believe the answer is:

hawser

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'ropy form' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'of washer' is the wordplay.
'of' indicates anagramming the letters (the answer comes from or 'of' the letters).
'washer' anagrammed gives 'HAWSER'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hawser that I've seen before include "Heavy rope used at sea" , "Ship's mooring rope" , "Thick mooring rope" , "Ship's line" , "Strong rope or cable for mooring ship" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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