Crossword Genius

Family supporting relative briefly as singer (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

siskin

'singer' is the definition.
(siskin is a kind of birdanimal)

'family supporting relative briefly' is the wordplay.
'family' becomes 'kin' ('kin' can be a synonym of 'family').
'supporting' says to put letters next to each other (in a down clue, some letters go below others).
'relative briefly' becomes 'sis' (short for 'sister').
'kin' after 'sis' is 'SISKIN'.

'as' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for siskin that I've seen before include "Type of bird" , "Breed of finch" , "Finch akin to canary" , "Singer" , "Winger" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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