Dog devoured priests assistant (6)
I believe the answer is:
curate
'priests assistant' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'dog devoured' is the wordplay.
'dog' becomes 'cur' (both can mean a despicable person).
'devoured' becomes 'ate' (I've seen this in other clues).
'cur'+'ate'='CURATE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for curate that I've seen before include "one wearing dog-collar" , "Take care of collection" , "Parish priest's assistant" , "Junior church minister" , "Clergyman assisting priest" .)