Crossword Genius

Most primitive aristocrat that is a good man? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

earliest

'most primitive' is the definition.
('early' can be similar in meaning to 'primitive')

'aristocrat that is a good man?' is the wordplay.
'aristocrat' becomes 'earl' (earl is a kind of aristocrat).
'that is' becomes 'ie' (abbreviation for id est, 'that is' in Latin).
'a good man?' becomes 'st' (abbreviation for saint).
'earl'+'ie'+'st'='EARLIEST'

(Other definitions for earliest that I've seen before include "Furthest back in time" , "With the least delay" , "Ateliers (anag.)" , "Nearest the start of a time period" , "Arriving first" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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