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Malthusian dismisses this by female graduate (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alumna

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'female graduate' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for alumna that I've seen before include "Manual (anag) - old girl" , "Female graduate" , "Harvard graduate" , "She studied" , "Female former pupil" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and the Irish Times.
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