Crossword Genius

Great conductor, strange sort, supporting West? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

maestro

'great conductor' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'strange sort supporting west?' is the wordplay.
'strange' indicates anagramming the letters.
'supporting' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (in a down clue, some letters go below others).
'west?' becomes 'mae' (actress Mae West).
'sort' anagrammed gives 'stro'.
'stro' put after 'mae' is 'MAESTRO'.

(Other definitions for maestro that I've seen before include "Good conductor" , "Gifted performer" , "great musician" , "Distinguished artist" , "special performer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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