Lament retired academic unknown by most of the proverbial crowd, it’s said (8)
I believe the answer is:
threnody
'lament retired academic' is the definition.
'threnody' can be an answer for 'lament' (I've seen this before). I am unsure of the 'retired academic' bit.
'unknown by most of the proverbial crowd it's said' is the wordplay.
'unknown' becomes 'y' (algebra).
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'most of' means to remove the last letter.
'the proverbial crowd' becomes 'three' (I've seen this in another clue).
'it's said' becomes 'nod' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'three' with its last letter removed is 'thre'.
'thre'+'nod'='threnod'
'y' after 'threnod' is 'THRENODY'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for threnody that I've seen before include "Dirge" , "Do try hen (anag.)" , "A song of lamentation" , "A lament" .)