Crossword Genius

Stale rhyme to make you cry! (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wail

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'cry' is the definition.
(wailing is a kind of crying)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for wail that I've seen before include "Long cry, as of siren" , "(Make a) plaintive cry" , "Lament audibly" , "Cry of grief" , "Cry, moan" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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