Crossword Genius

Meeting female, give false account willingly (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lief

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

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

'meeting female give false account' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'female' could be 'f' (abbreviation) and 'f' is located in the answer.
'account' could be 'lie' and 'lie' is found in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for lief that I've seen is " In old usage, gladly or willingly - file away".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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