Crossword Genius

Authoritarian trait men disguised (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

martinet

'authoritarian' is the definition.
(martinet is a kind of authoritarian)

'trait men disguised' is the wordplay.
'disguised' indicates an anagram.
'trait'+'men'='traitmen'
'traitmen' with letters rearranged gives 'MARTINET'.

(Other definitions for martinet that I've seen before include "Trite man becomes a tyrant" , "General" , "Rigorous figure" , "Despot" , "Tyrant, one who demands strict obedience" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
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