Crossword Genius

Most barren meadow where birds found (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

leanest

'most barren' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'meadow where birds found' is the wordplay.
'meadow' becomes 'lea' (a lea is a grassy area).
'where birds found' becomes 'nest'.
'lea'+'nest'='LEANEST'

(Other definitions for leanest that I've seen before include "Least fatty" , "Most unproductive" , "Most thin" , "most meagre type" , "Most skinny" .)

I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.
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