Crossword Genius

As Samson was when shorn of his locks? (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

distressed

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

'as samson was when shorn' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'his locks?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'locks?' could be 'tress' (both can mean a piece of hair) and 'tress' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for distressed that I've seen before include "Anxious" , "In deep pain or sorrow" , "like Samson when deprived of his strength?" , "Upset; deliberately aged" , "in anguish?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News and The Globe and Mail.
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