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Solidified astringent makes up fakes (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

simulates

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'fakes' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with creating things as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'solidified astringent makes up' is the wordplay.
'solidified' becomes 'set' (I've seen this before).
'astringent' becomes 'alum' (alum is a kind of astringent).
'makes' becomes 'is' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'up' says the letters should be written backwards (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'set'+'alum'+'is'='setalumis'
'setalumis' reversed gives 'SIMULATES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for simulates that I've seen is " Copies".)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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