Crossword Genius

Position and power lost to plebeian (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

role

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

'position' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'power lost to plebeian' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'lost' could be 'l' (abbreviation in sporting league tables) and 'l' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'roe' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for role that I've seen before include "Part, portrayal" , "A part of lore" , "Part played (in life?)" , "Function; part" , "Part (in drama)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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