Two ways around forest, one way across stream (8-5)

I believe the answer is:

stepping-stone

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'stream' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'two ways around forest one way across' is the wordplay.
'two ways around forest' becomes 'stepping' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'way' becomes 'st' (abbreviation for street).
'across' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (across can mean on).
'one' put after 'st' is 'stone'.
'stepping'+'stone'='STEPPING-STONE'

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I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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