Crossword Genius

Superior rating given to second rate books (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abbot

'superior' is the definition.
(abbot is a kind of superior)

'rating given to second rate books' is the wordplay.
'rating' becomes 'ab' (both can mean a sailor).
'given to' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'second rate' becomes 'b'.
'books' becomes 'OT' (abbreviation for Old Testament).
'ab'+'b'+'ot'='ABBOT'

(Other definitions for abbot that I've seen before include "Head of a religious community" , "Supervisor of brothers" , "Convent leader, male" , "Prior's clerical superior" , "friar" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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