Crossword Genius

Put off fellow interrupting animals (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

defer

'put off' is the definition.
('defer' can be a synonym of 'put off')

'fellow interrupting animals' is the wordplay.
'fellow' becomes 'f' (abbreviation - of a society etc.).
'interrupting' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'animals' becomes 'deer' (**).
'f' placed inside 'deer' is 'DEFER'.

(Other definitions for defer that I've seen before include "Put off, postpone" , "Put off or give way" , "Delay" , "Yield to another's opinion" , "Accede" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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