Crossword Genius

What flows when measuring unusually dry places? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

clepsydra

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'what flows when measuring' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'unusually dry places?' is the wordplay.
'unusually' is an anagram indicator.
'dry'+'places'='dryplaces'
'dryplaces' with letters rearranged gives 'CLEPSYDRA'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for clepsydra that I've seen before include "Old timekeeper needing water" , "Ancient water clock" , "Water-clock" , "Old device with leaking water" , "old time technology" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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