Crossword Genius

Girl given novel back in front of church (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wench

'girl' is the definition.
(I know that wench is a type of girl)

'novel back in front of church' is the wordplay.
'novel' becomes 'new' (novel means new or fresh).
'back' is a reversal indicator.
'in front of' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (some letters go in front of others).
'church' becomes 'ch' (common abbreviation).
'new' written backwards gives 'wen'.
'wen'+'ch'='WENCH'

'given' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for wench that I've seen before include "An archaic girl" , "(Young) woman" , "Servant girl" .)

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