Crossword Genius

See tsar perhaps cut by old upper-class — tough (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

laborious

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'see tsar perhaps cut by old upper-class tough' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'class tough' is the wordplay.
'class' becomes 'labor' (labor is a kind of class).
'tough' becomes 'ious' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'labor'+'ious'='LABORIOUS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for laborious that I've seen before include "Gruelling" , "Using much time and effort" , "Tedious" , "Requiring considerable time and effort" , "Arduous" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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