Crossword Genius

Male employs goddesses (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

muses

'goddesses' is the definition.
(the muses of Greek mythology)

'male employs' is the wordplay.
'male' becomes 'm' (common abbreviation).
'employs' becomes 'uses' ('use' can be a synonym of 'employ').
'm'+'uses'='MUSES'

(Other definitions for muses that I've seen before include "Clio, Euterpe, Terpsichore etc" , "Nine goddesses, inspirations for artists" , "Nine goddesses of the liberal arts" , "Nine sister goddesses presiding over the arts" , "Nine Greek and Roman goddesses presiding over the arts" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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