A female of pride (7)

I believe the answer is:

lioness

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a female' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Feline female ' mean 'lioness' so perhaps 'female' could also mean 'lioness')

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

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lioness that I've seen before include "Big beast's mate" , "Fierce female feline" , "Elsa, for one" , "Female carnivore" , "Female pride member" .)

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

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