Crossword Genius

Poker-faced cleric hugging a daughter quietly (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deadpan

'poker-faced' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'cleric hugging a daughter quietly' is the wordplay.
'cleric' becomes 'dean' (I've seen this before).
'hugging' is an insertion indicator.
'a daughter' becomes 'ad' (I've seen this in other clues).
'quietly' becomes 'p' (p for piano and quiet).
'ad'+'p'='adp'
'dean' enclosing 'adp' is 'DEADPAN'.

(Other definitions for deadpan that I've seen before include "Impassive" , "Keeping a straight face" , "Showing no expression" , "Betraying no emotion" , "Dry" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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