Crossword Genius

Respect engineers in holding-off operation (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deference

'respect' is the definition.
(I know that respect can be written as deference)

'engineers in holding-off operation' is the wordplay.
'engineers' becomes 're' (Royal Engineers).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'holding-off operation' becomes 'defence' (holding off an attack).
're' inserted into 'defence' is 'DEFERENCE'.

(Other definitions for deference that I've seen before include "Submission to will of another" , "given respect" , "honour" , "Respect; submission" , "Compliance with another's wishes, polite respect" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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