Crossword Genius

The good man always has half a bottle for a sailor (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abbot

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

'the good man always' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'half a bottle for a sailor' is the wordplay.
'half a' indicates taking half.
'for' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'a sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'bottle' halved is 'bot'.
'bot' after 'ab' is 'ABBOT'.

'has' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for abbot that I've seen before include "Head of a community of monks" , "Monks' superior" , "Monastery superior" , "Monastic superior" , "Senior monk" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app