Crossword Genius

Bloody -- as hens' teeth? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rare

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

'bloody' is the definition.
(I know that bloody can be written as rare)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rare that I've seen before include "having few matches?" , "Seldom encountered" , "Ben Jonson was considered so" , "Very scarce, like undercooked steak" , "not often spotted" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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