Desperate horse close (8)

I believe the answer is:

hairless

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'desperate' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'horse close' is the wordplay.
'horse' becomes 'h' (synonyms).
'close' becomes 'airless' (synonyms).
'h'+'airless'='HAIRLESS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hairless that I've seen before include "Bald" , "Furious" , "suffering shock loss" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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