Crossword Genius

You say fur may be employed (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

usable

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'employed' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'you say fur' is the wordplay.
'you say' becomes 'u' ('you' as it sounds).
'fur' becomes 'sable' (sable is a kind of fur).
'u'+'sable'='USABLE'

'may be' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for usable that I've seen before include "at one's disposal" , "Functional and available" , "Practical" , "Able to be utilised" , "Functional, operational" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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