Crossword Genius

Rough meadow by the railway (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

leathery

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'rough' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'meadow by the railway' is the wordplay.
'meadow' becomes 'lea' (a lea is a grassy area).
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'railway' becomes 'ry' (abbreviation).
'lea'+'the'+'ry'='LEATHERY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for leathery that I've seen before include "Tough, wrinkled (skin)" , "Like tough skin" , "as old balls?" , "Tough like tanned hide" , "Tough textured" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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