Crossword Genius

State of French uniform received by this method? (7,8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

express delivery

'received by this method?' is the definition.
(postal system)

'state of french uniform' is the wordplay.
'state' becomes 'express' (synonyms).
'of french' becomes 'de' ('of' in French).
'uniform' becomes 'livery' (livery is a kind of uniform).
'express'+'de'+'livery'='EXPRESS DELIVERY'

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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