Beleaguered English male fought hard (9)

I believe the answer is:

embattled

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'beleaguered' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'english male fought hard' is the wordplay.
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'male' becomes 'm' (common abbreviation).
'fought hard' becomes 'battled' (battling is a kind of fighting. I am not sure about the 'hard' bit.).
'e'+'m'+'battled'='EMBATTLED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for embattled that I've seen before include "Beset by difficulties" , "under attack" , "Beleaguered" , "Involved in conflict" , "Under pressure, in trying circumstances" .)

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

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