Crossword Genius

Stupidly respect ghost (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spectre

'ghost' is the definition.
(I know that ghost can be written as spectre)

'stupidly respect' is the wordplay.
'stupidly' is an anagram indicator (a stupid ordering of the letters).
'respect' with letters rearranged gives 'SPECTRE'.

(Other definitions for spectre that I've seen before include "Respect for a ghost" , "after-image?" , "Wraith" , "something seen as a threat" , "Narrow ravine" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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