A layer of the netherworld (3)

I believe the answer is:

hen

'a layer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'of the netherworld' is the wordplay.
'of' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'HEN' is hidden in the letters of 'the netherworld'.

(Other definitions for hen that I've seen before include "Domestic egg layer" , "Insufficient in amount" , "Adult female chicken" , "Coop resident" , "Domestic fowl" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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