Crossword Genius

Primate crossing small part of church (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

apse

'part of church' is the definition.
(part of a church building)

'primate crossing small' is the wordplay.
'primate' becomes 'ape' (ape is a kind of primate).
'crossing' is an insertion indicator.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'ape' going around 's' is 'APSE'.

(Other definitions for apse that I've seen before include "part of cathedral" , "Recess with domed rof in a church" , "may be seen in church!" , "where praetor sat" , "Church recess in lapsed condition" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph and The Times.
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