Crossword Genius

Female group about to cut meat (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

harem

'female group' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'about to cut meat' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 're' ('re' means regarding or about).
'to cut' means one lot of letters goes inside another (some letters cut their way into a word).
'meat' becomes 'ham' (ham is a kind of meat).
're' inserted inside 'ham' is 'HAREM'.

(Other definitions for harem that I've seen before include "Place for wives of 25 ac" , "Quarters for women in Muslim household, a seraglio" , "House of concubines" , "Living quarters of wives in a Muslim household" , "Women's place" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun and the Evening Standard.
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