Beat guttersnipe lacking modicum of respect for religious figure (8)
I believe the answer is:
capuchin
'religious figure' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'beat guttersnipe lacking modicum of respect' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'beat' could be 'cap' and 'cap' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'for' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for capuchin that I've seen before include "Monkey with a head like a monk's cowl" , "Religious person" , "Religious order; woman's pointed hood and cloak resembling the habit" , "Monkey -- or hooded cloak" , "Friar; cloak and hood" .)