Crossword Genius

Geese highly regarded as a group (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

skein

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a group' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'geese highly regarded as' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'as' could be 'in' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'in' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for skein that I've seen before include "Flock on the move" , "Loose coil of yarn" , "A number of birds" , "Loosely-coiled bundle of wool" , "Ball of yarn" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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