Crossword Genius

A below average girl (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

norma

'girl' is the definition.

'a below average' is the wordplay.
'below' says to put letters next to each other (in a down clue, some letters go below others).
'average' becomes 'norm' (synonyms).
'a' after 'norm' is 'NORMA'.

(Other definitions for norma that I've seen before include "name for Monroe" , "Marilyn Monroe's real first name" , "Shearer or Major" , "Opera - ex-PM's wife" , "Roman (anag) -- opera" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph and The Globe and Mail.
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