Showed rank subservience? (7)
I believe the answer is:
saluted
'showed rank subservience?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
This is the entire clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for saluted that I've seen before include "Presented arms" , "Given a tribute" , "Kissed" , "Due last (anag.)" , "Recognised with a gesture" .)