The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word ABBOT
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
A
B
B
O
T
More clues leading to the result ABBOT
- Superior rating given to second-rate back
- A couple of books — Biblical books — shown by religious leader
- Superior, British in flying boat
- Religious senior gives some bother to Jack
- Article on books: 39 books for Protestant religious leader
- Senior cleric has adult books alongside holy books
- Australian bishop has program for head of order
- Superior muscle turned to flab at the end
- Father ABC
- Superior article at front of book on autonomous computer program
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Senior cleric" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case senior cleric = abbot.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 ABBOT mean?
ABBOT noun- The superior or head of an abbey or monastery.
- The pastor and/or administrator of an order, including minor and major orders starting with the minor order of porter.
- A layman who received the abbey's revenues, after the closing of the monasteries.
- (British slang) A brothel-owner's husband or lover.
- (British slang) A ponce; a man employed by a prostitute to find clients, and who may also act as a bodyguard or equivalent to a bouncer.