Crossword Genius

College head has me to insult (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

demean

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'insult' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I can't see how they can define each other.

'college head has me' is the wordplay.
'college head' becomes 'dean' (I've seen this in another clue).
'has' indicates putting letters inside.
'dean' going around 'me' is 'DEMEAN'.

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for demean that I've seen before include "Cause (someone) to suffer loss of dignity" , "Lower in dignity or respect" , "make base" , "Degrade, humiliate" , "Degrade, abase" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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