Crossword Genius

Party with a German widow (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dowager

'widow' is the definition.
(dowager is a kind of widow)

'party with a german' is the wordplay.
'party' becomes 'do' (do is a kind of party).
'with' becomes 'w' (abbreviation**).
'german' becomes 'ger' (abbreviation).
'do'+'w'+'a'+'ger'='DOWAGER'

(Other definitions for dowager that I've seen before include "elderly lady of means" , "Important widow" , "Woman who holds title from dead husband" , "old lady" , "Widow with inheritance" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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