Crossword Genius

Fine but sad end for a little old lady (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

grand

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

'fine' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'sad end for a little old lady' is the wordplay.
'sad end' becomes 'nd' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'for' says to put letters next to each other (I've seen this in other clues).
'a little' means to remove the last letter (the word is not quite complete).
'old lady' becomes 'gran' (short for grandmother).
'gran' with its last letter removed is 'gra'.
'nd' put after 'gra' is 'GRAND'.

'but' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for grand that I've seen before include "Piano; thousand pounds" , "PS1000 (sl.)" , "principal" , "Stately - splendid" , "Exalted, magnificent" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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