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Deprecates applications for admission (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

knocks

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'deprecates' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I don't understand how they can define each other.

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for knocks that I've seen before include "Strikes with a sharp blow or finds fault with" , "Bangs on door" , "You get bad experiences in the school of hard ..." , "Hits" , "Raps, taps" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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