Crossword Genius

Did quail or chicken, we hear (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cowered

'did quail' is the definition.
(to cower is to quail or show fear)

'chicken we hear' is the wordplay.
'chicken' becomes 'coward' (similar in meaning).
'we hear' shows a homophone (sound like).
'coward' sounds like 'COWERED'.

'or' is the link.

(Other definitions for cowered that I've seen before include "Showed fear" , "looked fearful" , "Cringed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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