Crossword Genius

Modest object, English (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

demure

'modest' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'object english' is the wordplay.
'object' becomes 'demur' (to demur is to object to something).
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation as in OED).
'demur'+'e'='DEMURE'

(Other definitions for demure that I've seen before include "Pretending to be quiet and serious" , "(Of woman) modest, shy" , "(Affecting to be) quiet and modest" , "Prim and proper" , "Affectedly quiet and serious" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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