Previous conviction for American religious leader (5)
I believe the answer is:
prior
This clue is a quintuple definition!!
'previous' is the first definition.
(prior means previous or earlier)
'conviction' is the second definition.
(I have seen 'former conviction' mean 'prior' so perhaps 'conviction' could also mean 'prior')
'for' is a link.
'american' is the third definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'religious' is the fourth definition.
(prior is a kind of religious)
'leader' is the fifth definition.
(I have seen 'Religious leader' mean 'prior' so perhaps 'leader' could also mean 'prior')
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for prior that I've seen before include "Antecedent" , "boss of Monk?" , "One giving assistance to abbot" , "Coming before in time or importance" , "Previous - religious leader" .)