Crossword Genius

Female compatriot of noble line without husband (12)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

countrywoman

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'female compatriot' is the definition.
'countrywoman' can be an answer for 'compatriot' (thesaurus). I am unsure of the 'female' bit.

'noble line without husband' is the wordplay.
'noble' becomes 'count' (count is a kind of noble).
'line' becomes 'ry' (abbreviation for railway).
'without' becomes 'wo' (abbreviation of 'without', normally with a slash).
'husband' becomes 'man' (a married man).
'count'+'ry'+'wo'+'man'='COUNTRYWOMAN'

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for countrywoman that I've seen is " She lives in a rural district".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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