Crossword Genius

Noble academic entrance without name (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

magnate

'noble' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'academic entrance without name' is the wordplay.
'academic' becomes 'ma'.
'entrance' becomes 'gate' (type of entrance).
'without' is an insertion indicator ('without' can be similar in meaning to 'outside').
'name' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation e.g. on forms).
'gate' going around 'n' is 'gnate'.
'ma'+'gnate'='MAGNATE'

(Other definitions for magnate that I've seen before include "Important fellow" , "Wealthy business leader" , "Fellow with a lot of money" , "Baron" , "Wealthy figure" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app