Crossword Genius

Female entertainer (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hostess

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

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

'entertainer' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'entertainer' could be 'host' (person hosting or entertaining guests) and 'host' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ess' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hostess that I've seen before include "Person providing hospitality" , "Air stewardess" , "One who entertains" , "Plane stewardess" , "She looks after guests" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph, The Times and The Globe and Mail.
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