Crossword Genius

Father always more able to do as he will? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

freer

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'able to do as he will?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun but the answer is not.

'father always more' is the wordplay.
'father' becomes 'fr' (abbreviation as in a priest's title).
'always' becomes 'eer' (poetic way of saying ever).
'more' means one lot of letters go next to another (some letters added to the previous ones).
'fr'+'eer'='FREER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for freer that I've seen before include "less inhibited" , "More at liberty, less restrained" , "Less restricted" , "Less constrained" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
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