Crossword Genius

Said of country life, past not present (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oral

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'said' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

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(Other definitions for oral that I've seen before include "language exam" , "By word of mouth, like some exams" , "Kind of examination" , "Type of exam" , "Relating to speech" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Telegraph.
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