The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word PROCTOR
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
P
R
O
C
T
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R
More clues leading to the result PROCTOR
- University official, expert, on cold hill
- Spin doctor lacking degree becomes university official
- University official gets a month inside for extortion, essentially
- University official supporting college rock
- Manager? Eight once coming between prince and king
- University official is in favour of Congress leader's eminence
- University officer's crop in bad condition, decomposition is back
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "university official" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case university official = proctor.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 PROCTOR mean?
PROCTOR noun- A person who supervises students as they take an examination, in the United States at the college/university level; often the department secretary, or a fellow/graduate student; an invigilator.
- An official at any of several older universities.
- A legal practitioner in ecclesiastical and some other courts.
- One appointed to collect alms for those who could not go out to beg for themselves, such as lepers and the bedridden.
- A procurator or manager for another.
- A representative of the clergy in convocation.
- To function as a proctor
- To manage as an attorney or agent