Crossword Genius

Ladies first, not in the middle or at the end (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

last

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'at the end' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'ladies first not in the middle' is the wordplay.
'ladies first' becomes 'l' (ast letter of 'ladies').
'not in the middle' becomes 'ast' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'l'+'ast'='LAST'

'or' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for last that I've seen before include "Continue" , "part of Oxford's restoration with this?" , "most recent model" , "Survive; after all others" , "Rearmost" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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