Crossword Genius

The Spanish female, trendy and dainty (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

elfin

'dainty' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'the spanish female trendy' is the wordplay.
'the spanish' becomes 'el' ('the' in Spanish).
'female' becomes 'f' (common abbreviation).
'trendy' becomes 'in' ('in' can mean fashionable).
'el'+'f'+'in'='ELFIN'

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for elfin that I've seen before include "Mischievous sprite" , "Small, delicately-framed" , "Like a little fairy" , "Small, delicate, mischievous and attractive" , "Sprightly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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