Crossword Genius

Swipes this to admit first lady (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

thieves

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'swipes' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with ownership as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'this to admit first lady' is the wordplay.
'to admit' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'first lady' becomes 'eve' (first woman in the Bible).
'this' placed around 'eve' is 'THIEVES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for thieves that I've seen before include "They may be thick" , "robber" , "they whip things" , "Plunderers" , "Crooks" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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