Crossword Genius

States answer by The Telegraph (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

usa

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'telegraph' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.

'states answer by' is the wordplay.
'states' becomes 'US' (abbreviation for the United States).
'answer' becomes 'a' (abbreviation eg in Q and A).
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'us'+'a'='USA'

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for usa that I've seen before include "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave" , "Initially, a great federation" , "United States" , "Union" , "Briefly, a great federation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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