Nine divine females married pursuers off and on (5)
I believe the answer is:
muses
'nine divine females' is the definition.
(in Greek mythology)
'married pursuers off and on' is the wordplay.
'married' becomes 'm' (abbreviation, e.g. in genealogy).
'off and on' indicates alternate letters (letters used at regular intervals).
The alternating letters of 'pursuers' are 'uses'.
'm'+'uses'='MUSES'
(Other definitions for muses that I've seen before include "Ponders with goddesses of the arts" , "Sources of artists' inspiration" , "Nine goddesses, inspirations for artists" , "Nine sister goddesses presiding over the arts" , "Contemplates" .)