Crossword Genius

Doctor Dickens et al snubbing English lecturers? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

moralists

'lecturers?' is the definition.
(people who lecture others)

'doctor dickens et al snubbing english' is the wordplay.
'doctor' becomes 'mo' (medical officer).
'dickens et al' becomes 'realists' (Charles Dickens might be called a realist writer).
'snubbing' is a deletion indicator.
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'realists' with 'e' taken away is 'ralists'.
'mo'+'ralists'='MORALISTS'

(Another definition for moralists that I've seen is " Preachers".)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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