Crossword Genius

Barrie heroine stripped off, showing rear (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

end

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'rear' is the definition.
(I've seen this in other clues)

'barrie heroine stripped off showing' is the wordplay.
'barrie heroine' becomes 'en' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'stripped off' indicates the central letters (the outer letters are stripped off).
'showing' becomes 'wording' (wording is a kind of showing).
The middle of 'wording' is 'd'.
'en'+'d'='END'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for end that I've seen before include "Finish, wind up" , "Terminus" , "Purpose of finish" , "Complete" , "Finished" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app