Female screws in battle attire (10)

I believe the answer is:

wardresses

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'female screws' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'battle attire' is the wordplay.
'battle' becomes 'war' (I've seen this in other clues).
'attire' becomes 'dresses' (I've seen this in another clue).
'war'+'dresses'='WARDRESSES'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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