Crossword Genius

She's superior to many a layabout! (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lady

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'layabout' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'she's superior to many a' is the wordplay.
'she's superior' becomes 'dy' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'to' says to put letters next to each other (I've seen this in other clues).
'many' becomes 'l'.
'l'+'a'='la'
'dy' after 'la' is 'LADY'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lady that I've seen before include "Female peer" , "Luck, for example" , "Lord's partner" , "Wife of gentleman" , "See 7" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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