A couple competed (4)

I believe the answer is:

vied

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'competed' is the definition.
('vie' can be a synonym of 'compete')

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

(Other definitions for vied that I've seen before include "'Competed, contended (4)'" , "Contested in dive" , "Competed in dive" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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