Crossword Genius

General movement in trial, very sad (5-7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

heart-rending

'very sad' is the definition.
(heart-rending means very sad or upsetting)

'general movement in trial' is the wordplay.
'general movement' becomes 'trend' (a trend is a movement).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'trial' becomes 'hearing' (as in a court hearing).
'trend' put into 'hearing' is 'HEART-RENDING'.

(Other definitions for heart-rending that I've seen before include "Causing great sadness or distress" , "moving" , "Greatly distressing" , "Poignant" , "Agonisingly sad" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app