Crossword Genius

Speaker’s cut charge, entertaining to a high degree (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

doctorate

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a high degree' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'speaker's cut charge entertaining to' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'charge' could be 'rate' (rate is a kind of charge) and 'rate' is located in the answer.
'to' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'doc' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for doctorate that I've seen before include "Higher degree" , "Academic qualification" , "Postgraduate degree" , "PhD or D.Phil" , "High degree" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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