Crossword Genius

Would she hiss at a friend? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sally

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'would she hiss at a friend?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'she hiss at a friend?' is the wordplay.
'she hiss' becomes 's' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'at' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'a friend?' becomes 'ally' (an ally is a friend or supporter).
's'+'ally'='SALLY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sally that I've seen before include "Sortie; quip" , "Sortie - Gracie Fields song" , "excursion" , "- - Lunn, flat cake" , "army" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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