Crossword Genius

Conduct could be humbler from a dictator (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

demeanour

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

'conduct' is the definition.
(I know that conduct can be written as demeanour)

'humbler from a dictator' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'from' could be 'o' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'o' is present in the answer.
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'could be' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for demeanour that I've seen before include "Appearance and attitude" , "Outward bearing" , "Conduct" , "Look" , "Manner of behaving towards others" .)

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