Crossword Genius

Without religion? Possibly idealistic without it (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

laicised

'without religion?' is the definition.
(to laicise is to remove clerical character)

'possibly idealistic without it' is the wordplay.
'possibly' indicates an anagram.
'without' suggests deleting specific letters.
'idealistic' with 'it' taken out is 'dealisic'.
'dealisic' is an anagram of 'LAICISED'.

(Other definitions for laicised that I've seen before include "Ideal, sic to be removed from priesthood" , "Stripped the status of a member of the clergy" , "Of priest, returned to secular status" , "Deprived of priesthood, reduced to secular state" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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