Crossword Genius

College head to take five in quiet resting-place (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

provost

'college head' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'five in quiet resting-place' is the wordplay.
'five' becomes 'V' (Roman numeral).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'quiet' becomes 'p' (music symbol for 'piano', ie soft or quiet).
'resting-place' becomes 'roost' (I've seen this before).
'p'+'roost'='proost'
'v' inserted into 'proost' is 'PROVOST'.

'to take' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for provost that I've seen before include "Scottish mayor" , "Cathedral dignitary" , "A college head; a mil. policeman" , "University college head" , "College or cathedral head" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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