Crossword Genius

Reconstruct a buttress for lower level (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

substrate

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'lower level' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.

'reconstruct a buttress' is the wordplay.
'reconstruct' is an anagram indicator (I've seen this in other clues).
'a'+'buttress'='abuttress'
'abuttress' anagrammed gives 'SUBSTRATE'.

'for' acts as a link.

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I've seen this clue in The Times.
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