Crossword Genius

Used to be as we are (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

were

I believe this clue is a double definition.

'used to be' is the first definition.
(eg 'you were...' means 'you used to be...')

'we are' is the second definition.
(contraction of 'we are')

'as' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for were that I've seen before include "Used to be" , "SECOND PART OF 9" , "Lycanthrope" , "(We/you) existed" , "SECOND PART OF 14" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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