Top cleric uses vehicle to take Linda out (8)

I believe the answer is:

cardinal

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'top cleric' is the definition.
'cardinal' can be an answer for 'cleric' (I've seen this before). I am unsure of the 'top' bit.

'vehicle to take linda out' is the wordplay.
'vehicle' becomes 'car' (car is a kind of vehicle).
'to take' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'out' indicates an anagram (out can mean wrong or inaccurate).
'linda' anagrammed gives 'dinal'.
'car'+'dinal'='CARDINAL'

'uses' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cardinal that I've seen before include "Possibly one" , "High-ranking official of the Roman Catholic church" , "fundamental importance" , "papal adviser" , "Senior Roman Catholic" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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