Crossword Genius

Clever wife is English (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wise

'clever' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'wife is english' is the wordplay.
'wife' becomes 'w' (abbreviation).
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation as in OED).
'w'+'is'+'e'='WISE'

(Other definitions for wise that I've seen before include "Prudent" , "Having discernment" , "Morecambe partner" , "Sagacious" , "Having good judgement" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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