Crossword Genius

Sensed the texture of thick material (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

felt

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I believe this clue is a quadruple definition!!

'sensed' is the first definition.
('feel' can be a synonym of 'sense')

'the texture' is the second definition.
(thesaurus)

'of' acts as a link.

'thick' is the third definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'material' is the fourth definition.
(I know that felt is a type of material)

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for felt that I've seen before include "Fabric of matted wool fibres" , "It's reckoned" , "Soft fabric; touched" , "Sensed - beret material" , "Handled - material" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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