Crossword Genius

Structure hinders flow over a period of time showing wear and tear (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

damage

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'tear' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'structure hinders flow over a period of time showing wear' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'structure' could be 'dam' (dam is a kind of structure) and 'dam' is located in the answer.
'a' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ge' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for damage that I've seen before include "Harm; reparation" , "Impair, hurt" , "Detrimental effect" , "Impairment, injury" , "Impair and lower value" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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