Crossword Genius

Religious teacher taking duck from zoo - a bird to put in the oven? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

zoroaster

'religious teacher' is the definition.

'duck from zoo a bird to put in the oven?' is the wordplay.
'duck' becomes 'o'.
'from' suggests deleting specific letters.
'a bird to put in the oven?' becomes 'roaster'.
'zoo' with 'o' removed is 'zo'.
'zo'+'roaster'='ZOROASTER'

'taking' is the link.

(Other definitions for zoroaster that I've seen before include "Persian prophet" , "Religious leader" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app