Crossword Genius

Scandi couple occupied empty space (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

swede

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

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

'scandi couple occupied empty' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'couple' could be 'wed' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'wed' is present in the answer.
'empty' could be 'e' (abbreviation e.g. on guages) and 'e' is present in the answer.
A single letter 's' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for swede that I've seen before include "Person like Strindberg" , "Native of Stockholm" , "Strindberg, for example" , "Sort of turnip - one from Scandinavia?" , "North European" .)

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