Crossword Genius

Holy book without British bitterness (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bile

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'bitterness' is the definition.
(I've seen this in other clues)

'holy book without british' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'book' could be 'b' (abbreviation for book) and 'b' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ile' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bile that I've seen before include "Bitter fluid from the liver" , "Fluid secreted by the liver" , "Bitterness - digestive fluid stored in the gall bladder" , "Digestive juice secreted by the liver" , "Ill-temper" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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