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That quiet, bookish Yank? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

american

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'yank?' is the definition.
(yank is a kind of American)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for american that I've seen before include "''The Quiet . . . . . . . .'' - Graham Greene" , "Person from the States" , "Main race confused in USA" , "Main race (anag.)" , "Film starring Kevin Spacey" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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