Wade's opponent in court sounds dear (3)

I believe the answer is:

roe

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'wade's opponent' is the definition.
(as in Roe vs Wade, US court case)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for roe that I've seen before include "A mass of fish-eggs" , "Swift runner" , "Caviar" , "shy animal" , "If hard, eggs" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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