Crossword Genius

Scholarly father? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pater

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'father?' is the definition.
(old-fashioned term for father)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for pater that I've seen before include "Dad (Latin)" , "Our Father - . . . . . Noster" , "Taper away like father" , "Walter --, English essayist; father" , "Old man" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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