Employ some housemaids (3)
I believe the answer is:
use
'employ' is the definition.
('use' can be a synonym of 'employ')
'some housemaids' is the wordplay.
'some' indicates a hidden word (some of the parts of the word are used).
'USE' can be found hidden inside 'housemaids'.
(Other definitions for use that I've seen before include "Bring into play" , "Benefit" , "Sue for employment" , "Employ, put into service" , "Application" .)