Crossword Genius

Without having left, face familiar bloke (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cock

'familiar bloke' is the definition.
(informal or familiar term of address for a man)

'without having left face' is the wordplay.
'without having' is a deletion indicator.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'face' becomes 'clock' (clock face is a kind of face).
'clock' with 'l' taken away is 'COCK'.

(Other definitions for cock that I've seen before include "early bird" , "Adult male chicken" , "Sort of lever" , "Hens partner" , "Chanticleer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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