Tricky fellow's raving maniac imprisoning soldier (8)

I believe the answer is:

magician

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'tricky fellow's raving maniac imprisoning soldier' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'raving maniac imprisoning soldier' is the wordplay.
'raving' indicates anagramming the letters.
'imprisoning' indicates putting letters inside.
'soldier' becomes 'gi' (government issue or general issue).
'maniac' with letters rearranged gives 'macian'.
'macian' placed around 'gi' is 'MAGICIAN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for magician that I've seen before include "Conjuror, illusionist" , "Conjurer, illusionist" , "A stage illusionist, or cartoon Mandrake" , "Sorcerer, wizard" , "trickster" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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