Crossword Genius

Fearing losing head studying (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

reading

'studying' is the definition.
('read' can be a synonym of 'study')

'fearing losing head' is the wordplay.
'fearing' becomes 'dreading' ('dread' can be a synonym of 'fear').
'losing head' means to remove the first letter.
'dreading' with its first letter taken away is 'READING'.

(Other definitions for reading that I've seen before include "Perusing; university in Berkshire" , "Studying for a degree - in Berkshire?" , "perusal of books" , "University - studying" , "Oscar Wilde's Gaol" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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