Crossword Genius

Dull poet from the East (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

drab

'dull' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'poet from the east' is the wordplay.
'poet' becomes 'bard' (bard is a kind of poet).
'from the east' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (on a map from right to left).
'bard' back-to-front is 'DRAB'.

(Other definitions for drab that I've seen before include "Dismal < slattern" , "kind of tart" , "Dull light brown colour" , "Colourless like bard" , "Dingy, dull" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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