Crossword Genius

Minister and dog had sustenance? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

curate

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

'minister' is the definition.
(I know that minister can be written as curate)

'dog had sustenance?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'dog' could be 'cur' (both can mean a despicable person) and 'cur' is present in the answer.
'had' could be 'ate' ('have' can mean 'eat') and 'ate' is found in the answer.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for curate that I've seen before include "Acuter (anag.)" , "He whose egg is good in parts" , "junior cleric" , "Assistant clergyman" , "assistant barman in Ireland" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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