Crossword Genius

Host increasingly pious, concealing note (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hotelier

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

'host increasingly' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'pious concealing note' is the wordplay.
'pious' becomes 'holier' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'concealing' indicates putting letters inside.
'note' becomes 'te' (musical note).
'holier' placed around 'te' is 'HOTELIER'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hotelier that I've seen before include "Provider of rooms" , "One supplies accommodation" , "One offering tourist accommodation" , "One such as Conrad Hilton" , "I can offer you accommodation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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