Crossword Genius

Not coming back with certain bald patch (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tonsure

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'bald patch' is the definition.
'tonsure' can be an answer for 'patch' (I have seen 'bare patch' mean 'tonsure' so perhaps 'patch' could also mean 'tonsure'). I'm not sure about the 'bald' bit.

'not coming back with certain' is the wordplay.
'coming back' is a reversal indicator.
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'certain' becomes 'sure' (synonyms).
'not' in reverse letter order is 'ton'.
'ton'+'sure'='TONSURE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tonsure that I've seen before include "Shearing ?" , "Removal of locks" , "Monastic hairstyle" , "Monk's haircut" , "Monk's hairstyle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app