Crossword Genius

Weller, perhaps, at first upset regularly erratic retainer (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

samurai

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'retainer' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for samurai that I've seen before include "Japanese warrior code" , "Japanese militarist" , "Japanese military retainer" , "Sudoku variant" , "Member of military class" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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