Crossword Genius

Female avoiding wife’s state (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oman

'state' is the definition.
(Oman is a country)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for oman that I've seen before include "Land" , "Muscat's country" , "Middle Eastern country" , "Former Gulf country, Muscat and --" , "Arab country" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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