Crossword Genius

Minor damage to surface from small blow (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

scuff

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

'minor damage to surface' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'small blow' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'blow' becomes 'cuff' (I've seen this before).
's'+'cuff'='SCUFF'

'from' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for scuff that I've seen before include "drag, while walking" , "Scrape (eg, a shoe)" , "Scrape (shoe leather)" , "Scrape (shoe, etc)" , "Scrape (shoes) when walking" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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