Crossword Genius

Swish vessel less ordinary (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cane

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

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

'vessel less ordinary' is the wordplay.
'vessel' becomes 'can' (I've seen this before).
'less ordinary' becomes 'e' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'can'+'e'='CANE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cane that I've seen before include "Strong, flexible stem" , "Slender stem of bamboo etc" , "e.g. Bamboo stem" , "Strong stem for to allow a plant to climb" , "Slender support, for 32 across say" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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