Unclean without an elder relative (5)
I believe the answer is:
uncle
'elder relative' is the definition.
'uncle' can be an answer for 'relative' (uncle is a kind of relative). I am unsure of the 'elder' bit.
'unclean without an' is the wordplay.
'without' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'unclean' with 'an' taken away is 'UNCLE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for uncle that I've seen before include "Male relation; pawnbroker" , "Male family member" , "older relative" , "Family relation" , "takes the pledge" .)