A degree of cowardice in fighting (3)

I believe the answer is:

war

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'fighting' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'a degree of cowardice' is the wordplay.
'WAR' is hidden within the letters.
But, I'm not sure how this is indicated.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for war that I've seen before include "Major conflict" , "Fight" , "State of armed struggle" , "series of engagements" , "Strife" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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