Crossword Genius

US singers making modest sums (5,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

petty cash

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'us' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for petty cash that I've seen before include "Small fund for minor expenses" , "Money kept in office for small payments - it's trivial" , "Small amounts of money set aside for insignificant payments" , "Monetary fund" , "Ready to deal with minor damage" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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