Crossword Genius

Force small lock (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stress

'force' is the definition.
(I know that stress is a type of force)

'small lock' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'lock' becomes 'tress' (both can mean a piece of hair).
's'+'tress'='STRESS'

(Other definitions for stress that I've seen before include "Draw attention to" , "Particular emphasis" , "Underline - tension" , "Emphasis on anxiety?" , "Emphasize" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph and The Times.
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