Crossword Genius

Mobile airbase housing very rough (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abrasive

'rough' is the definition.
('abrasive' can be similar in meaning to 'rough')

'mobile airbase housing very' is the wordplay.
'mobile' indicates an anagram.
'housing' is an insertion indicator.
'very' becomes 'v' (abbreviation).
'airbase' with letters rearranged gives 'abrasie'.
'abrasie' going around 'v' is 'ABRASIVE'.

(Other definitions for abrasive that I've seen before include "Overly aggressive" , "Harsh; eg, emery" , "Harsh - chafing" , "(Of a character) confrontational or sharply disagreeable" , "Wearing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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