Crossword Genius

Very bad letters from Lamb, say (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abysmal

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'very bad' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'from lamb say' is the wordplay.
'from' is an anagram indicator (from the letters).
'lamb'+'say'='lambsay'
'lambsay' anagrammed gives 'ABYSMAL'.

'letters' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for abysmal that I've seen before include "Pathetic" , "Shockingly bad" , "Extremely bad - lamb, say (anag)" , "Appallingly bad" , "Extreme and deplorable as ignorance may be" .)

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