Crossword Genius

Leave coat by lake (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

furlough

'leave' is the definition.
(furlough is a kind of leave)

'coat by lake' is the wordplay.
'coat' becomes 'fur' (fur is a kind of coat).
'by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'lake' becomes 'lough' (lough is a kind of lake).
'fur'+'lough'='FURLOUGH'

(Other definitions for furlough that I've seen before include "Temporary leave of absence from military duty" , "Leave of absence from military duties" , "Very unattractive" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app