Crossword Genius

Carry male in charge, as one venerated? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

totemic

'as one venerated?' is the definition.
(totemic can mean venerated or worshipped)

'carry male in charge' is the wordplay.
'carry' becomes 'tote' (toting is a kind of carrying).
'male' becomes 'm' (common abbreviation).
'in charge' becomes 'ic' (abbreviation for 'in charge').
'tote'+'m'+'ic'='TOTEMIC'

(Other definitions for totemic that I've seen before include "(Of an object) having spiritual significance" , "worship?" , "Emblematic, symbolic" , "Having significance as an emblem" , "Like something significant" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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