Degree of social elevation in Lancaster Gate (5)
I believe the answer is:
caste
'degree of social elevation' is the definition.
'caste' can be an answer for 'degree' (thesaurus). I am unsure of the 'of social elevation' bit.
'in lancaster gate' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates a hidden word.
'CASTE' is hidden within 'lancaster gate'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for caste that I've seen before include "Persons with class" , "Social station" , "Large, long-necked, wading bird" , "place in society" , "A sect (anag)" .)