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Reckon old conflict is about European shape (6,2,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

figure of eight

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'shape' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.

'reckon old conflict is about european' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'reckon' could be 'figure' (synonyms) and 'figure' is present in the answer.
'old' could be 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English) and 'o' is present in the answer.
'european' could be 'e' (abbreviation e.g. EU) and 'e' is present in the answer.
'conflict' could be 'fight' (fight is a kind of conflict) and 'fight' is present in the remaining letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for figure of eight that I've seen before include "could be formed by two circles?" , "Skater's (numerical) outline?" , "dance movement" , "Shape resembling two circles" , "Knot made at the end of a rope" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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