Crossword Genius

Two monkeys looking down on others (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

grand

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'two monkeys looking' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'down on others' is the wordplay.
'down' becomes 'd'.
'on' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'others' becomes 'gran' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'd' put after 'gran' is 'GRAND'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for grand that I've seen before include "One thousand pounds" , "sum of money" , "great distinction" , "A slangy PS1,000" , "Piano; thousand pounds" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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