Crossword Genius

Mother East or West? (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mae

'west?' is the definition.
(actress Mae West)

'mother east' is the wordplay.
'mother' becomes 'ma' (ma can mean mother).
'east' becomes 'E' (synonyms).
'ma'+'e'='MAE'

'or' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for mae that I've seen before include "Woman" , "- West, US film actress" , "The first Hollywood blonde femme fatale, . . . West" , "- - West, movie vamp" , "Girl" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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