Crossword Genius

Hot year grips area, creating dried grass (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hay

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

'hot year grips area' is the wordplay.
'hot' becomes 'h'.
'year' becomes 'y'.
'grips' is an insertion indicator.
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'h'+'y'='hy'
'hy' going around 'a' is 'HAY'.

'creating' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for hay that I've seen before include "It is to be made while the sun shines" , "Dried grass as fodder" , "Animal fodder" , "Welsh festival" , "Cut and dried grass" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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