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Non-believing female overcome by high temperature (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

heathen

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'non-believing' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'female overcome by high temperature' is the wordplay.
'female' becomes 'hen' (female chicken).
'overcome by' says to put letters next to each other (in a down clue, some letters go over others).
'high temperature' becomes 'heat' (synonyms).
'hen' after 'heat' is 'HEATHEN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for heathen that I've seen before include "Savage" , "Non-believer" , "Person lacking culture or moral principles" , "Unbeliever" , "One who doesn't acknowledge your god" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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