Crossword Genius

Proof impudence repelled you once (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

galley

'proof' is the definition.
(galley proof is a kind of proof)

'impudence repelled you once' is the wordplay.
'impudence' becomes 'gall' (synonyms).
'repelled' is a reversal indicator.
'you once' becomes 'ye' (historical version of 'you').
'ye' in reverse letter order is 'ey'.
'gall'+'ey'='GALLEY'

(Other definitions for galley that I've seen before include "Cookhouse on board" , "Kitchen on board" , "Kitchen aboard ship" , "Vessel's kitchen" , "Trireme" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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