Crossword Genius

Element hard: gone dry perhaps (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hydrogen

'element' is the definition.
(I know that hydrogen is a type of non-metal)

'hard gone dry perhaps' is the wordplay.
'hard' becomes 'h' (abbreviation used in pencil classifications).
'perhaps' is an anagram indicator.
'gone'+'dry'='gonedry'
'gonedry' anagrammed gives 'ydrogen'.
'h'+'ydrogen'='HYDROGEN'

(Other definitions for hydrogen that I've seen before include "Lightest gas" , "Most abundant element - gas - H" , "Gas, symbol H" , "Lightest of all elements" , "Ubiquitous gas" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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