French illustrator upset editor, was abrasive (6)
I believe the answer is:
eroded
'abrasive' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'french illustrator upset editor' is the wordplay.
'french illustrator' becomes 'dore' (I've seen this in other clues).
'upset' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'editor' becomes 'ed' (abbreviation).
'dore' in reverse letter order is 'erod'.
'erod'+'ed'='ERODED'
'was' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eroded that I've seen before include "Wore away" , "Worn away by time, wind or water" , "Eaten away" , "Worn away by weather or water" , "Worn away, ground down" .)