Crossword Genius

Entailed ref being wrong but respectful (11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deferential

'respectful' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'entailed ref being wrong' is the wordplay.
'being wrong' indicates anagramming the letters.
'entailed'+'ref'='entailedref'
'entailedref' anagrammed gives 'DEFERENTIAL'.

'but' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for deferential that I've seen before include "Respectful" , "Showing respect" , "Submissive" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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