Crossword Genius

Subordinate from Virginia upset girl (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

vassal

'subordinate' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'virginia upset girl' is the wordplay.
'virginia' becomes 'va' (US state abbreviation).
'upset' is a reversal indicator.
'girl' becomes 'lass' (lass is a kind of girl**).
'lass' backwards is 'ssal'.
'va'+'ssal'='VASSAL'

'from' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for vassal that I've seen before include "Person owing service to a feudal lord" , "Old retainer" , "Feudal subordinate" , "Retainer, dependant" , "One owed allegiance to a feudal lord" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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