What does the cryptic crossword clue "Noble women tot up letters (10)" mean?

The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). COUNT (synonym="‘tot up’") + ESSES (synonym="‘letters’, the letter being S") = COUNTESSES The answer is COUNTESSES.

Noble women tot up letters (10)

Guardian Cryptic #29477 | 7 Down | 2024-09-02 flower

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