Crossword Genius

Moisture found in barrier across river next to quiet headland (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dampness

'moisture' is the definition.
(being damp or moist)

'barrier across river next to quiet headland' is the wordplay.
'barrier across river' becomes 'dam'.
'next to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'quiet' becomes 'p' (music symbol for 'piano', ie soft or quiet).
'headland' becomes 'ness' (both can mean a promontory).
'dam'+'p'+'ness'='DAMPNESS'

'found in' is the link.

(Other definitions for dampness that I've seen before include "Being a bit wet" , "Moisture" , "Moist quality" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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