Crossword Genius

Understood this classic old language (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gothic

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'old language' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'understood this classic' is the wordplay.
'understood' becomes 'got' (getting is a kind of understanding).
'this classic' becomes 'hic' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'got'+'hic'='GOTHIC'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gothic that I've seen before include "Style of architecture, literatureand film" , "Old-fashioned type" , "See 6 ac" , "as some Germans were" , "Building style of medieval cathedrals" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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