Mortification in a crypt? (9)
I believe the answer is:
abasement
'mortification' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'a crypt?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'a' is within the answer.
The remaining letters 'basement' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for abasement that I've seen before include "demeaning" , "Discredit" , "Mean beast (anag.)" , "belittling" , "Humiliation" .)