Crossword Genius

Mother runs after colleague (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mater

'mother' is the definition.
(old-fashioned term for mother)

'runs after colleague' is the wordplay.
'runs' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'colleague' becomes 'mate'.
'r' after 'mate' is 'MATER'.

(Other definitions for mater that I've seen before include "having children" , "mum's the word" , "Dam" , "An old Roman mother" , "Mother (Latin or old slang)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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