Crossword Genius

Criminal tries to interrupt work of chaplain, say (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

priestly

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'criminal tries to interrupt work of chaplain say' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'criminal tries to interrupt work' is the wordplay.
'criminal' indicates an anagram.
'to interrupt' is an insertion indicator.
'work' becomes 'ply' (to ply a trade is to work at it).
'tries' anagrammed gives 'riest'.
'riest' put within 'ply' is 'PRIESTLY'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for priestly that I've seen before include "Ecclesiastical" , "Like a minister" , "just like a cleric" , "Pious" , "Hieratic" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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