Crossword Genius

Leave before taking in rector's formal garden (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

parterre

'formal garden' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'leave before taking in rector's' is the wordplay.
'leave' becomes 'part' (parting is a kind of leaving**).
'before' becomes 'ere' (usually literary).
'taking in' indicates putting letters inside.
'rector' becomes 'r'.
'ere' going around 'r' is 'erre'.
'part'+'erre'='PARTERRE'

(Other definitions for parterre that I've seen before include "Part of the main floor of a theatre" , "Formal area of garden" , "flower-beds" , "Part of the main floor of a threatre" , "Seating on the ground floor of US theatre?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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