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Dismal signal from conductor (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

downbeat

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'dismal' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

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(Other definitions for downbeat that I've seen before include "gesture by conductor" , "Casual" , "Depressed - relaxed" , "Dismal and depressing" , "Conductor is likely to make this movement" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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