Crossword Genius

Need a difficult craft (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hardship

'need' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a difficult craft' is the wordplay.
'a difficult' becomes 'hard' (I've seen this in another clue).
'craft' becomes 'ship' (ship is a kind of craft).
'hard'+'ship'='HARDSHIP'

(Other definitions for hardship that I've seen before include "Privation difficult to endure" , "Difficult circumstances" , "Difficulty, vicissitude" , "Severe discomfort or deprivation" , "Adversity, misfortune" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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