Crossword Genius

Holy Land area within borders of sand (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sacred

'holy' is the definition.
('sacred' can be similar in meaning to 'holy')

'land area within borders of sand' is the wordplay.
'land area' becomes 'acre' (I've seen this before).
'within' is an insertion indicator.
'borders of' suggests removing the centre.
'sand' with its middle removed is 'sd'.
'acre' put into 'sd' is 'SACRED'.

(Other definitions for sacred that I've seen before include "Like gravestones maybe" , "devoted to deity" , "'Hallowed, holy (6)'" , "Hallowed, consecrated" , "not to be interfered with?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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