Crossword Genius

Male different from female parent (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mother

'female parent' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'male different' is the wordplay.
'male' becomes 'm' (common abbreviation).
'different' becomes 'other' (similar in meaning).
'm'+'other'='MOTHER'

'from' is the link.

(Other definitions for mother that I've seen before include "She gave birth to her Tom" , "Be overprotective" , "Dam" , "- - 7 across, pantomime" , "One who pours the tea?" .)

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