Crossword Genius

Wood used with hesitation for padding (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oakum

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'padding' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.

'wood used with hesitation' is the wordplay.
'wood' becomes 'oak' (oak is a kind of wood).
'used with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'hesitation' becomes 'um' (um is said in hesitation).
'oak'+'um'='OAKUM'

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for oakum that I've seen before include "Tarred rope" , "Caulking material" , "Fibrous material from rope" , "Fibre from unravelled old rope" , "What convicts used to pick" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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