Crossword Genius

Deny old prison contains no women (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

negate

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'deny' is the definition.
(negate can mean to deny or refute)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for negate that I've seen before include "Contradict" , "Cause to have no effect" , "Age ten (anag)" , "Countermand" , "Nullify - deny the existence of" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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