Crossword Genius

Understand about old daughter following guardian (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

godfather

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

'guardian' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'understand about old daughter following' is the wordplay.
'understand' becomes 'gather' (synonyms).
'about' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'old daughter following' becomes 'odf' (this might be a standard abbreviation which I don't know about).
'gather' enclosing 'odf' is 'GODFATHER'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for godfather that I've seen before include "gang boss" , "Baptismal sponsor" , "Mafia boss" , "leading exponent" , "Mafia head" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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