Succeeded bracketing old lady - as this? (5)

I believe the answer is:

woman

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'succeeded bracketing old lady as this?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

This is the entire clue.

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(Other definitions for woman that I've seen before include "With 1a [OLD], one's rather timid" , "Mature female" , "Adult female" , "With 1a [NEW] a freedom fighter" , "person not going on stag-night" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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