Mark one in staff that represents authority (4)
I believe the answer is:
mace
'staff that represents authority' is the definition.
'mace' can be an answer for 'staff' (a mace is a ceremonial staff or stick). I am unsure of the remainder of the definition.
'mark one' is the wordplay.
'mark' becomes 'm'.
'one' becomes 'ace' (ace has a value of one in some card games).
'm'+'ace'='MACE'
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mace that I've seen before include "Came to get nutmeg spice" , "Ceremonial staff of office" , "Spice from the nutmeg seed" , "Tear gas - spice" , "Spice; ceremonial baton" .)