Crossword Genius

Left on account of mistress? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lover

'mistress?' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'left on account of' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'on account of' becomes 'over'.
'l'+'over'='LOVER'

(Other definitions for lover that I've seen before include "Opposite of hateful type" , "Romeo (or Juliet)" , "Beau" , "Lothario" , "Boyfriend" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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