A clergyman's place (5)
I believe the answer is:
manse
'place' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.
'a clergyman's' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for manse that I've seen before include "Untrue" , "Presbyterian minister's residence" , "Names (anag.)" , "Scots minister's house" , "Religious minister's house" .)