Crossword Genius

Cows, Charles figures (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chastens

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'cows' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I can't see how they can define each other.

'charles figures' is the wordplay.
'charles' becomes 'chas' (shortened form).
'figures' becomes 'tens' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'chas'+'tens'='CHASTENS'

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I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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