Crossword Genius

South American statue of deer - mere fabrication (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

redeemer

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'south american statue' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how one could define the other.

'of deer mere fabrication' is the wordplay.
'of' indicates anagramming the letters (the answer comes from or 'of' the letters).
'fabrication' is an anagram indicator.
'deer' is an anagram of 'rede'.
'mere' with letters rearranged gives 'emer'.
'rede'+'emer'='REDEEMER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for redeemer that I've seen before include "One saving another from sin" , "One who delivers (people) from sin" , "Mere deer for the saviour" , "One who saves (another) from sin" , "One who saves (sinner)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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