Crossword Genius

University covering up Dickensian villain (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

uriah

'dickensian villain' is the definition.
(Uriah Heep from Charles Dickens' David Copperfield)

'university covering up' is the wordplay.
'university' becomes 'u' (abbreviation for university).
'covering' becomes 'hair' (hair is a kind of covering).
'up' says the letters should be written backwards (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'hair' reversed gives 'riah'.
'u'+'riah'='URIAH'

(Other definitions for uriah that I've seen before include "embezzling clerk" , "'Umble --- Heep (Dickens)" , "Husband of Bathsheba" , "Dickensian hypocrite ... Heep" , "King David had him killed in battle in order to marry his wife, Bathsheba" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.