Crossword Genius

Stays and strap holding old woman securely at first (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

remains

'stays' is the definition.
('remain' can be a synonym of 'stay')

'strap holding old woman securely at first' is the wordplay.
'strap' becomes 'rein' (I've seen this before).
'holding' is an insertion indicator.
'old woman' becomes 'ma' (both can mean someone's mother).
'at first' says to take the initial letters.
The initial letter of 'securely' is 's'.
'rein' going around 'ma' is 'remain'.
'remain'+'s'='REMAINS'

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for remains that I've seen before include "Body after death" , "Archaeological relics" , "Stays behind" , "surviving old parts" , "Remnants" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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