The term 'LIONESS'S LACK' is composed of two crossword solutions, MANE (4 letters) and RUFF (4 letters). A lioness is a female lion, and the two words together refer to the fact that female lions lack the MANE and RUFF of their male counterparts. The MANE is a thick growth of hair around the neck and shoulders of a male lion, while the RUFF is a fringe of longer hair around the face. Female lions do not have either of these features, making them easily distinguishable from males.