Crossword Genius

Cracking effort: girl hides processor (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tannery

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

'hides processor' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'cracking effort girl' is the wordplay.
'cracking' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters go into a gap or crack).
'effort' becomes 'try' (synonyms).
'girl' becomes 'anne' (I've seen this before).
'try' enclosing 'anne' is 'TANNERY'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tannery that I've seen before include "Place where leather is made" , "Place where hides are converted into leather" , "place for skin treatment" , "Where hides are made into leather" , "Rather like sun lamp, arguably" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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