In a minor way, saints look knowingly around (6)
I believe the answer is:
lesser
'in a minor way' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'saints look knowingly around' is the wordplay.
'saints' becomes 'ss'.
'look knowingly' becomes 'leer' (leer is a kind of look. I am not sure about the 'knowingly' bit.**).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'ss' inserted inside 'leer' is 'LESSER'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lesser that I've seen before include "That which is smaller, as of two evils" , "Smaller; inferior" , "Smaller, minor" , "Not so important (one)" , "Not as great" .)