Female pillar of support? (8)
I believe the answer is:
caryatid
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'female pillar' is the first definition.
'caryatid' can be an answer for 'pillar' (caryatid is a kind of pillar). I also know that 'female' relates to this answer.
'support?' is the second definition.
(caryatid is a kind of support)
'of' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for caryatid that I've seen before include "Column carved as female figure" , "supporting woman that's stony" , "Pillar in female form" , "Column in female form" , "She gives support in her column" .)