Instrument with heavy end grasping female (5)

I believe the answer is:

harpy

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'female' is the definition.
(I know that Harpy is a type of female)

'instrument with heavy end grasping' is the wordplay.
'instrument' becomes 'harp' (harp is a kind of instrument).
'with heavy end grasping' becomes 'y' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'harp'+'y'='HARPY'

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(Other definitions for harpy that I've seen before include "Greedy woman" , "Filthy beast" , "Ravenous monster -- nagging woman" , "Bad-tempered woman" , "Rapacious woman-bird" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun and The Guardian.

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