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Hostelries in the south mistreated waitstaff (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

servants

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'hostelries' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I can't see how one could define the other.

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for servants that I've seen before include "Household staff" , "They're employed in the service of government" , "those waiting" , "Flunkeys" , "They look after the personal needs of others" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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