Crossword Genius

Coach old lecturer to sing (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

carol

'sing' is the definition.
(caroling is a kind of singing)

'coach old lecturer' is the wordplay.
'coach' becomes 'car' (as in a train coach or car).
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'lecturer' becomes 'l' (abbreviation for lecturer).
'car'+'o'+'l'='CAROL'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for carol that I've seen before include "A traditional Christmas song or hymn" , "Female" , "Song celebrating the birth of Jesus" , "Religious song - girl's name" , "and 27: Waits" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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