Crossword Genius

Support mother during visit? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mainstay

'support' is the definition.
(I know that mainstay is a type of support)

'mother during visit?' is the wordplay.
'mother' becomes 'ma' (ma can mean mother).
'during' becomes 'in' (e.g. during February means in February).
'visit?' becomes 'stay' (visit is a kind of stay).
'ma'+'in'+'stay'='MAINSTAY'

(Other definitions for mainstay that I've seen before include "Strongest support" , "chief supporter" , "Strong cable that secures a mast, chief support generally" , "Linchpin, principal support" , "Linchpin, principle support" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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