Crossword Genius

Covered in carpet, very hard-wearing (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rugged

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'covered' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'in carpet very hard-wearing' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'carpet' becomes 'red carpet' (red carpet is a kind of carpet).
'very hard wearing' becomes 'ugg' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'red' going around 'ugg' is 'RUGGED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rugged that I've seen before include "Might the hearthside be so" , "'Craggy, rough (6)'" , "Rough and harsh" , "Designed for hard use" , "Jagged" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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