Crossword Genius

Old girls in male sauna stripped off (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alumnae

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'old girls' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'male sauna stripped off' is the wordplay.
'stripped' says to take the centre (outside letters removed).
'off' is an anagram indicator.
The central letters of 'sauna' are 'aun'.
'male'+'aun'='maleaun'
'maleaun' anagrammed gives 'ALUMNAE'.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for alumnae that I've seen before include "Graduates of a college" , "Former female pupils" , "Former students" , "Women who have studied" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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