Earl's wife (8)
I believe the answer is:
countess
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">earl's wife</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this before)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for countess that I've seen before include "Noblewoman" , "title for 23 [LOVELACE]" , "Aristocratic partner" , "Noble" , "Earl's wife" .)