Crossword Genius

Walked in home counties and had purposeful step (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

strode

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'had purposeful step' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'walked in home counties' is the wordplay.
'walked' becomes 'trod' (treading is a kind of walking).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'home counties' becomes 'SE' (Home Counties in the South East of England).
'trod' going inside 'se' is 'STRODE'.

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for strode that I've seen before include "Walked fast with long steps" , "Paced" , "went on foot" , "Galumphed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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