Crossword Genius

Rent pasture and vacant storehouse (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lease

'rent' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'pasture and vacant storehouse' is the wordplay.
'pasture' becomes 'lea' ('lea' can be a synonym of 'pasture').
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'vacant' suggests removing the centre.
'storehouse' becomes 'store' ('store' can be a synonym of 'storehouse').
'store' with its middle taken out is 'se'.
'lea'+'se'='LEASE'

(Other definitions for lease that I've seen before include "Tenancy agreement" , "Contract to rent" , "Contract allowing use of a property" , "Property rental agreement" , "Let; rent" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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