Begins to show saintly skills? (6)
I believe the answer is:
starts
'begins' is the definition.
('start' can be a synonym of 'begin')
'saintly skills?' is the wordplay.
'saintly' becomes 'st' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'skills?' becomes 'arts' (I've seen this in another clue).
'st'+'arts'='STARTS'
'to show' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for starts that I've seen before include "reacts in surprise" , "begins or recoils" , "Begins with surprise reactions?" , "Makes sudden movement from pain or surprise" , "Begins - or jumps as with fright" .)