Crossword Genius

Speak pompously of ordinary degree (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

orate

'speak pompously' is the definition.
(to orate is to give a speech)

'ordinary degree' is the wordplay.
'ordinary' becomes 'O' (abbreviation e.g. O-Levels).
'degree' becomes 'rate' (I've seen this before).
'o'+'rate'='ORATE'

'of' is the link.

(Other definitions for orate that I've seen before include "Erato (anag.)" , "Pontificate" , "Make a formal address" , "Speak publicly" , "make speeches" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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