Previous clergyman (5)
I believe the answer is:
prior
This might be a double definition.
'previous' is the first definition.
(prior means previous or earlier)
'clergyman' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for prior that I've seen before include "English poet" , "figure of authority in retreat" , "Certainly not succeeding" , "Deputy head of an abbey" , "Former - monk" .)