Monastery figure about to take up sinning? (6)
I believe the answer is:
novice
'monastery figure' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'about to take up sinning?' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 'on' (**).
'to take up' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (I've seen 'taken up' mean this).
'sinning?' becomes 'vice'.
'on' backwards is 'no'.
'no'+'vice'='NOVICE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for novice that I've seen before include "Beginner as in religious order" , "Person in a religious order who has not yet taken final vows" , "Beginner, trio" , "Noob" , "apprentice" .)