Crossword Genius

Maiden said to be ethical (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

moral

'be ethical' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'maiden said' is the wordplay.
'maiden' becomes 'm' (cricket abbreviation).
'said' becomes 'oral' (both can mean spoken).
'm'+'oral'='MORAL'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for moral that I've seen before include "Upright; message of fable" , "Underlying significance of a story or event" , "Lesson that can be drawn from a story" , "Righteous" , "knowing right from wrong" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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