Crossword Genius

Writer who’s about to put in partial French translation (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

quill

'writer' is the definition.
(historical writing implement)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for quill that I've seen before include "Old writer" , "Porcupine spine" , "Large feather" , "Pen made from a feather" , "Feather for writing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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