Crossword Genius

Muslim ascetic put Queen Victoria's head in bowl (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dervish

'muslim ascetic' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'put queen victoria's head in bowl' is the wordplay.
'put' indicates putting letters inside.
'queen' becomes 'er' (abbreviation for Elizabeth Regina**).
'head' indicates taking the first letters.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'bowl' becomes 'dish' (I've seen this before).
The first letter of 'victoria' is 'v'.
'v' placed inside 'dish' is 'dvish'.
'er' going into 'dvish' is 'DERVISH'.

(Other definitions for dervish that I've seen before include "Religious adherent" , "Muslim ascetic, maybe dancing" , "dancer, perhaps" , "One of a Muslim sect (usually whirling!)" , "Muslim noted for frenzied dancing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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