Supervisor protecting deviant (4)

I believe the answer is:

perv

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'deviant' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'supervisor protecting' is the wordplay.
'protecting' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'PERV' can be found hidden inside 'supervisor'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for perv that I've seen before include "Kinks fan" , "behave lecherously"" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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