They tell, at length, how epicures do without water (5)

I believe the answer is:

epics

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'they' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for epics that I've seen before include "Long narrative poems telling of deeds of heroes" , "Long tales of heroic deeds" , "Long poems about great events" , "Spice up with adventurous poems or stories" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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