Afraid of Delta interpretation (8)

I believe the answer is:

dreading

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'afraid of delta interpretation' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'delta interpretation' is the wordplay.
'delta' becomes 'd' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'interpretation' becomes 'reading' (synonyms).
'd'+'reading'='DREADING'

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(Other definitions for dreading that I've seen before include "Looking ahead with apprehension" , "Being terribly afraid of something to come" , "anxious about" , "Certainly not looking forward to" , "Feeling apprehensive" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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