Crossword Genius

Sharpen pen to a measure of straightness (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

honesty

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

'measure of straightness' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both human attributes as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'sharpen pen' is the wordplay.
'sharpen' becomes 'hone' (honing is a kind of sharpening).
'pen' becomes 'sty' (both can mean an animal enclosure).
'hone'+'sty'='HONESTY'

'to a' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for honesty that I've seen before include "Probity; plant" , "It's said to be the best policy" , "Uprightness" , "Candour" , "Plant; sincerity" .)

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