Crossword Genius

Numb clergyman holds editor back (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deaden

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

'clergyman holds editor back' is the wordplay.
'clergyman' becomes 'dean' (dean is a kind of clergyman).
'holds' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'editor' becomes 'ed' (abbreviation).
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'ed' back-to-front is 'de'.
'dean' enclosing 'de' is 'DEADEN'.

(Other definitions for deaden that I've seen before include "Kill" , "Damp down; make less sensitive" , "Muffle, deprive of feeling" , "Benumb" , "Take life" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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