Crossword Genius

Struggle to get words out of Frenchwoman in leading role (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stammer

'struggle to get words out' is the definition.
(to stammer is to struggle to speak)

'frenchwoman in leading role' is the wordplay.
'frenchwoman' becomes 'mme' (abbreviation for madame).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'leading role' becomes 'star' (eg the star of a film).
'mme' inserted within 'star' is 'STAMMER'.

'of' is the link.

(Other definitions for stammer that I've seen before include "Speech defect" , "delivery issue" , "delivery problem" , "Psychological speech problem" , "Speak with repetition" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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