Crossword Genius

Expensive Lower East Side church features (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

steeples

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'church features' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'expensive lower east side' is the wordplay.
'expensive' becomes 'steep' (I've seen this before).
'lower east side' becomes 'les' (this could be a standard abbreviation I've not previously seen).
'steep'+'les'='STEEPLES'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for steeples that I've seen before include "Tall church towers" , "Towers with spires on church roofs" , "Tall towers tapering to a point" , "Jack can climb them" , "Lee steps up on churches" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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