Crossword Genius

Figures out a woman as mercenary (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

venal

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'mercenary' is the definition.
(both can mean purely concerned with making money)

'figures out a woman' is the wordplay.
'figures' becomes 'vl' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'out' indicates putting letters inside.
'a woman' becomes 'ena' (feminine given name).
'vl' enclosing 'ena' is 'VENAL'.

'as' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for venal that I've seen before include "Corruptly mercenary" , "Corruptible" , "Motivated by bribery" , "Influenced by bribery, corrupt" , "easily bribed" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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