Crossword Genius

Leave to bury gold beside church for South American? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gaucho

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

'south american?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'leave to bury gold beside church' is the wordplay.
'leave' becomes 'go' (to go is to depart or leave).
'to bury' means one lot of letters goes inside another (inserted letters are buried inside).
'gold' becomes 'Au' (Au is the chemical symbol for gold).
'beside' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'church' becomes 'ch' (common abbreviation).
'au'+'ch'='auch'
'go' placed around 'auch' is 'GAUCHO'.

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gaucho that I've seen before include "Ranch hand" , "Argentinian cattle-herder" , "Horseman of the S American plains" , "A cough (anag)" , "Cowboy of Argentine's plains" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.