Crossword Genius

This woman's moral principle disheartened dissenter (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

heretic

'dissenter' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'this woman's moral principle disheartened' is the wordplay.
'this woman' becomes 'her' (her refers to a woman).
'moral principle' becomes 'ethic' (synonyms).
'disheartened' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters) (the middle or heart is removed).
'ethic' with its middle removed is 'etic'.
'her'+'etic'='HERETIC'

(Other definitions for heretic that I've seen before include "Etheric (anag.)" , "Non-believer" , "Person with opinions contrary to Church norms" , "One having unorthodox religious belief" , "One whose opinions are contrary to accepted religious beliefs" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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