Crossword Genius

Improved figure cutting grass (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

reformed

'improved' is the definition.
(reforming is a kind of improving)

'figure cutting grass' is the wordplay.
'figure' becomes 'form' (synonyms).
'cutting' is an insertion indicator (some letters cut their way into a word).
'grass' becomes 'reed' (type of grass plant).
'form' inserted within 'reed' is 'REFORMED'.

(Other definitions for reformed that I've seen before include "sort of church" , "Restored - mended one's ways" , "Changed for the better" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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