Crossword Genius

Son to pick up clipping (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shear

'clipping' is the definition.

'son to pick up' is the wordplay.
'son' becomes 's'.
'to pick up' becomes 'hear' (hearing is a kind of picking up).
's'+'hear'='SHEAR'

(Other definitions for shear that I've seen before include "Cut with clippers" , "Fleece; cut" , "Barber" , "Cutter" , "Cut wool off (a sheep)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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