Crossword Genius

Desert wanderer blew Te Deum badly (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tumbleweed

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

'desert wanderer' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'blew te deum badly' is the wordplay.
'badly' indicates anagramming the letters (letters in the wrong order).
'blew'+'te'+'deum'='blewtedeum'
'blewtedeum' is an anagram of 'TUMBLEWEED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tumbleweed that I've seen before include "Plant blown as a dry ball by the wind" , "Plant that blows around in the wind" , "Plant of arid regions, rolled about by the wind" , "Ball-like remains of plant blown by prairie winds" , "Western drifter" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app