Crossword Genius

'Amusing' conservationists pinching lady's bum (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fundament

'bum' is the definition.
('fundament' can be a synonym of 'bum')

'amusing conservationists pinching lady's' is the wordplay.
'amusing' becomes 'fun' ('fun' can be a synonym of 'amusing').
'conservationists' becomes 'nt' (abbreviation for National Trust).
'pinching' indicates putting letters inside (taking inside).
'lady' becomes 'dame' ('dame' can be a synonym of 'lady'**).
'fun'+'nt'='funnt'
'funnt' going around 'dame' is 'FUNDAMENT'.

(Other definitions for fundament that I've seen before include "Underlying basis - foundation" , "seat" , "bottom" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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