Father of the Latin scholar? (5)

I believe the answer is:

pater

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'father' is the definition.
(old-fashioned term for father)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for pater that I've seen before include "Old man" , "A posh father, from Latin" , "Taper away like father" , "Our Father - . . . . . Noster" , "Dad (Latin)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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