Crossword Genius

Takes orders from US agent, returning diamonds (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

defrocks

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'takes orders' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with social activities as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'us agent returning diamonds' is the wordplay.
'us agent' becomes 'fed' (short for a federal agent).
'returning' is a reversal indicator.
'diamonds' becomes 'rocks' (I've seen this before).
'fed' in reverse letter order is 'def'.
'def'+'rocks'='DEFROCKS'

'from' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for defrocks that I've seen is " Deprives of ecclesiastical status".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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