The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word MANSE
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
M
A
N
S
E
More clues leading to the result MANSE
- Minister's house fellow swore is empty
- Fellow's initially entering minister's house
- Special house staff, time-wasting group
- Staffs European minister’s residence
- Shock about small clergy house
- Minister’s house servant cleaning out staircase
- Living accommodation north of the border
- Locks guarding entrance to Scottish minister’s residence
- Saint in shock comes to church property
- Provides staff for English religious dwelling
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "religious dwelling" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case religious dwelling = manse.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does MANSE mean?
MANSE verb- To excommunicate; curse.
- A house inhabited by the minister of a parish.
- A family dwelling, an owner-occupied house.
- A large house, a mansion.