Crossword Genius

Closely follow mother in doctrine (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dogma

'doctrine' is the definition.
(I know that dogma is a type of doctrine)

'closely follow mother' is the wordplay.
'closely follow' becomes 'dog' (I've seen this in another clue).
'mother' becomes 'ma' (ma can mean mother).
'dog'+'ma'='DOGMA'

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for dogma that I've seen before include "Code of belief" , "Laid down set of (religious) principles" , "Some believe it certainly" , "A religious belief" , "Inflexible doctrine" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.
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