Crossword Genius

Sailor's art form in middle-age (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rating

'sailor's' is the definition.
(British term for a naval enlisted man)

'art form in middle-age' is the wordplay.
'form' is an anagram indicator.
'middle' indicates the central letters.
The middle of 'age' is 'g'.
'art' anagrammed gives 'rat'.
'rat'+'in'+'g'='RATING'

(Other definitions for rating that I've seen before include "Classification - or a non-com sailor" , "Rank - sailor" , "Salt" , "Valuation" , "Angry reprimand for non-commissioned sailor?" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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