Crossword Genius

Like the path taken by a serious student? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gravel

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'like the path' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'by a serious student?' is the wordplay.
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a serious' becomes 'grave' (both can mean solemn).
'student?' becomes 'l' (as in L-plates for learner drivers).
'grave'+'l' is 'GRAVEL'.

'taken' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gravel that I've seen before include "Coarse sand with small stones used for roads, driveways etc" , "Rocky fragments" , "Mixture of small stones" , "Coarse sand mixed with small stones" , "Loose fragments of rock" .)

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