Crossword Genius

Foreign magistrate, a beast, confronting English (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

doge

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'foreign magistrate' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a beast confronting english' is the wordplay.
'a beast' becomes 'dog' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'confronting' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation).
'dog'+'e'='DOGE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for doge that I've seen before include "Venetian leader" , "Venetian chief magistrate" , "Ancient lord of Venice" , "Former title of the chief magistrate in Venice" , "Old lord of Venice" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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