Crossword Genius

Principal character in a line (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cardinal

'principal' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'character in a line' is the wordplay.
'character' becomes 'card' (I've seen this before**).
'line' becomes 'l'.
'card'+'in'+'a'+'l'='CARDINAL'

(Other definitions for cardinal that I've seen before include "Word to describe one or two" , "Vivid red of a senior bishop?" , "Main - church dignitary" , "of prime importance" , "papal adviser" .)

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