Crossword Genius

Topless priest ruined weddings, perhaps (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rites

'weddings perhaps' is the definition.
(wedding is a kind of rite)

'topless priest ruined' is the wordplay.
'topless' means to remove the first letter.
'ruined' indicates anagramming the letters.
'priest' with its first letter taken off is 'riest'.
'riest' is an anagram of 'RITES'.

(Other definitions for rites that I've seen before include "Ceremonies or services" , "Formal ceremonial procedures" , "Ceremonial observances" , "formal procedure" , "Tires of religious ceremonies" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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