Husbandless woman in compound (5)
I believe the answer is:
ester
This could be a double definition.
'husbandless woman' is the first definition.
'Ester' can be an answer for 'woman'. I am not sure about the 'husbandless' bit.
'compound' is the second definition.
(ester is a kind of compound)
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ester that I've seen before include "Fat" , "Organic chemical compound" , "Organic compound, rhymes with court joker" , "Reset (anag.)" , "Chemical compound of acid and alcohol, found in trees" .)