Crossword Genius

Leave course, disheartened (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

desert

'leave' is the definition.
(deserting is a kind of leaving)

'course disheartened' is the wordplay.
'course' becomes 'dessert' (dessert is a kind of course).
'disheartened' suggests removing the centre.
'dessert' with its centre taken out is 'DESERT'.

(Other definitions for desert that I've seen before include "Abandon in barren terrain" , "Uncultivated" , "Callously abandon" , "Sahara or Gobi, say" , "Leave behind - waste" .)

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