Crossword Genius

Follow eastern magistrate (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

doge

'magistrate' is the definition.
(doge is a kind of magistrate)

'follow eastern' is the wordplay.
'follow' becomes 'dog' (dog can mean to follow or torment).
'eastern' becomes 'e'.
'dog'+'e'='DOGE'

(Other definitions for doge that I've seen before include "foreign magistrate" , "Chief of ancient Venice" , "Old ruler of Venice" , "Ancient lord of Venice" , "Old Italian chief magistrate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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