Absolute order (4)

I believe the answer is:

rank

This clue is a double definition.

'absolute' is the first definition.
(eg in a phrase like 'rank hypocrisy')

'order' is the second definition.
(rank order is a kind of order)

(Other definitions for rank that I've seen before include "Status; foul" , "Level; smelling bad" , "Position of seniority" , "Very undesirable" , "Relative status" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Times.

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