Crossword Genius

The shot that comes off (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ricochet

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

'shot that comes off' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.

'the' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
an anagram of 'the' is 'het' which is within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ricochet that I've seen before include "Glancing bullet" , "Bounce (off)" , "Spring back" , "Risk in shooting" , "Glancing rebound" .)

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