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A male in charge, having less feeling as a scientific figure (6,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

atomic number

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'a scientific figure' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both quantities as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'a male in charge having less feeling' is the wordplay.
'male' becomes 'tom' (tom can mean a male cat).
'in charge' becomes 'ic' (abbreviation for 'in charge').
'having' says to put letters next to each other.
'less feeling' becomes 'number' (more numb).
'a'+'tom'+'ic'+'number'='ATOMIC NUMBER'

'as' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for atomic number that I've seen is " Feature of element".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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