Crossword Genius

Pine lintel's front being distressed (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

languish

'pine' is the definition.
(I know that pine can be written as languish)

'lintel's front being distressed' is the wordplay.
'front' suggests taking the first letters.
'being distressed' becomes 'anguish'.
The initial letter of 'lintels' is 'l'.
'l'+'anguish'='LANGUISH'

(Other definitions for languish that I've seen before include "Haul sign away - lack vitality" , "Flag" , "Grow weak or feeble" , "go into decline" , "Suffer neglect" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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