Crossword Genius

State purpose briefly (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

goa

'state' is the definition.
(Indian state)

'purpose briefly' is the wordplay.
'purpose' becomes 'goal'.
'briefly' means to remove the last letter.
'goal' with its last letter taken away is 'GOA'.

(Other definitions for goa that I've seen before include "Indian district" , "Former Portuguese territory in India" , "Indian state, formerly Portuguese" , "Indian island state" , "Region of India" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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