Crossword Genius

A few lie about old landlady (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alewife

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

'old landlady' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'a few lie about' is the wordplay.
'about' indicates anagramming the letters.
'few'+'lie'='fewlie'
'fewlie' with letters rearranged gives 'lewife'.
'a'+'lewife'='ALEWIFE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for alewife that I've seen before include "superior, > swimmer found" , "serving fish" , "a catch" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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