Crossword Genius

Topless outing with bit of sexual relations (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aunts

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'sexual relations' is the definition.
'aunts' can be an answer for 'relations' (aunt is a kind of relation). I am unsure of the 'sexual' bit.

'topless outing with bit' is the wordplay.
'topless' means to remove the first letter.
'outing' becomes 'jaunt' ('jaunt' can be a synonym of 'outing').
'with bit' becomes 's' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'jaunt' with its initial letter taken away is 'aunt'.
'aunt'+'s'='AUNTS'

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aunts that I've seen before include "Female relatives, usually older" , "Relatives get an odd US tan" , "Parents' sisters" , "Elderly female relations" , "relatively speaking" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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