Crossword Genius

Pedestrian unlucky to meet a vehicle coming first (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

vanilla

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

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

'unlucky to meet a vehicle coming first' is the wordplay.
'unlucky' becomes 'ill' (similar in meaning).
'to meet' says to put letters next to each other.
'vehicle' becomes 'van' (type of vehicle).
'coming first' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'ill'+'a' is 'illa'.
'illa' put after 'van' is 'VANILLA'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for vanilla that I've seen before include "conventional" , "Commonplace - flavouring" , "lacking any special features" , "Subtle flavour pod" , "Orchid, its pod, bean for flavouring" .)

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