A wooden part Ethel Merman had (3)

I believe the answer is:

elm

'a wooden' is the definition.
(as an adjective)

'part ethel merman had' is the wordplay.
'part' indicates a hidden word.
'ELM' is hidden within 'ethel merman had'.

(Other definitions for elm that I've seen before include "Native British tree" , "wooden" , "Tree for a Cockney tiller" , "Source of wood" , "Deciduous tree with rough serrated leaves" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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