Crossword Genius

A whole lot of mothers and one son (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mass

'a whole lot' is the definition.
('mass' can be a synonym of 'whole lot')

'mothers and one son' is the wordplay.
'mothers' becomes 'mas' (ma is a kind of mother).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'one son' becomes 's' (genealogical abbreviation for son).
'mas'+'s'='MASS'

'of' is the link.

(Other definitions for mass that I've seen before include "Religious ceremony" , "seasonal midnight service?" , "state, briefly" , "Holy service" , "Pound, maybe" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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