Crossword Genius

She wields brush or boat-rope (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

painter

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'rope' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for painter that I've seen before include "that may tie up a cat, perhaps?" , "Artist's rope for fastening a boat?" , "One who draws" , "Eg, Rembrandt" , "keeps a boat by the bank" .)

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