Crossword Genius

Sovereign in French street, bearing left then right (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ruler

'sovereign' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'french street bearing left then right' is the wordplay.
'french street' becomes 'rue' (French for street or road).
'bearing' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'then' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'rue' enclosing 'l' is 'rule'.
'rule'+'r'='RULER'

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for ruler that I've seen before include "Governor or drawing stick" , "' - - of the Queen's Navee!'" , "that should go straight" , "Strip used in drawing straight lines" , "Person commanding" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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