Curious as purist finds a higher level (8)
I believe the answer is:
upstairs
'a higher level' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'curious as purist' is the wordplay.
'curious' indicates anagramming the letters.
'as'+'purist'='aspurist'
'aspurist' with letters rearranged gives 'UPSTAIRS'.
'finds' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for upstairs that I've seen before include "On the next floor" , "Away from servants" , "Having taken steps to rise" , "Mentally (colloquial)" , "On an upper floor" .)