Crossword Genius

The answer is perfectly clear (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

distinct

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'clear' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'the answer is perfectly' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found in the answer.
'is' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for distinct that I've seen before include "Discrete, clear-cut" , "Clearly outlined and easy to see" , "Plain" , "Obvious" , "Discrete, separate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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