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Extremely shyly signifies approval in church meetings (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

synods

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'approval in church meetings' is the definition.
'synods' can be an answer for 'meetings' (synod is a kind of meeting). I'm not sure about the 'approval in church' bit.

'extremely shyly signifies' is the wordplay.
'extremely' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters) (only the extremes of the word are used).
'signifies' becomes 'nods' (I've seen this in another clue).
'shyly' with its centre taken out is 'sy'.
'sy'+'nods'='SYNODS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for synods that I've seen before include "Council to discuss ecclesiastical business" , "Councils attended by clergy to discuss policy" , "Councils of bishops" , "Council meetings of clergy to discuss policy" , "Ecclesiastical councils" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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