Crossword Genius

Public official is polite to attendant (5,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

civil servant

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'public official' is the definition.
'civil servant' can be an answer for 'official' (civil servant is a kind of official). I am not certain of the 'public' bit.

'polite to attendant' is the wordplay.
'polite' becomes 'civil' (synonyms).
'to attendant' becomes 'servant' (I've seen this before).
'civil'+'servant'='CIVIL SERVANT'

'is' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for civil servant that I've seen before include "Government official" , "Person working in the public sector" , "Government employee" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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