Crossword Genius

A poor worker holding in hand sandpaper? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abradant

'sandpaper?' is the definition.
(sandpaper is a kind of abradant)

'a poor worker holding in hand' is the wordplay.
'poor' becomes 'bad' (similar in meaning).
'worker' becomes 'ant' (worker is a type of ant).
'holding in' is an insertion indicator.
'hand' becomes 'R' (abbreviation for right, as in the right-hand side).
'bad'+'ant'='badant'
'badant' enclosing 'r' is 'bradant'.
'a'+'bradant'='ABRADANT'

(Other definitions for abradant that I've seen before include "eroding" , "scratchy type?" , "grating" , "wearing away" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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