Crossword Genius

Strange story added to and abbreviated (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alien

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'strange' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'story added to and abbreviated' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'story' could be 'lie' (story can mean a fabrication) and 'lie' is found in the answer.
'and' could be 'n' (common abbreviation for 'and') and 'n' is found within the answer.
A single letter 'a' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for alien that I've seen before include "Someone from outer space?" , "extraneous" , "repugnant" , "Unfamiliar; foreign" , "coming from overseas" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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