Crossword Genius

Background: what a lady may not wish to reveal about it (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

heritage

'background' is the definition.
(as in someone's national or ethnic background)

'what a lady may not wish to reveal about it' is the wordplay.
'what a lady may not wish to reveal' becomes 'herage' (traditionally it is rude to ask a woman her age).
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'herage' going around 'it' is 'HERITAGE'.

(Other definitions for heritage that I've seen before include "One comes into this" , "Objects and cultural traditions passed down" , "Birth-related condition" , "historical collection?" , "Property or practices passed down" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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