Crossword Genius

Meaning small mace isn't used (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

semantics

'meaning' is the definition.
(semantics is the study of meaning)

'small mace isn't used' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'used' is an anagram indicator.
'mace'+'isnt'='maceisnt'
'maceisnt' anagrammed gives 'emantics'.
's'+'emantics'='SEMANTICS'

(Other definitions for semantics that I've seen before include "Meaning to study" , "The meaning attached to words" , "Branch of linguistics to do with meaning" , "Main sects (anag.)" , "The significance of a text" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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