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Suitcase put away, say (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

state

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'say' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'suitcase put away' is the wordplay.
'suitcase' becomes 'st' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'put away' becomes 'ate' (put away can mean to eat).
'st'+'ate'='STATE'

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(Other definitions for state that I've seen before include "Say; country" , "Civil government of a country" , "Condition of country." , "Public" , "whole people" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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