Crossword Genius

Moved rapidly, like girl who ran with long, bounding stride (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

galloped

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

'moved rapidly like girl' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with motion as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'ran with long bounding stride' is the wordplay.
'ran' becomes 'loped' (loping is a kind of running).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'long bounding stride' becomes 'gal' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'loped' put after 'gal' is 'GALLOPED'.

'who' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for galloped that I've seen before include "'I - - , Dirck - - ...' (Browning)" , "Moved fast like a horse" , "Ran" , "Rode fast" , "A peg doll (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app