Crossword Genius

Mean boy to become a clergyman (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

parson

'a clergyman' is the definition.
(parson is a kind of clergyman)

'mean boy' is the wordplay.
'mean' becomes 'par' (I've seen this before).
'boy' becomes 'son' ('son' can be a synonym of 'boy'**).
'par'+'son'='PARSON'

'to become' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for parson that I've seen before include "Anglican clergyman" , "Churchman" , "A rector or vicar" , "Minister of religion" , "service provider" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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