Crossword Genius

Vexation surrounding strangely shy figure (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

physique

'figure' is the definition.
('physique' can be a synonym of 'figure')

'vexation surrounding strangely shy' is the wordplay.
'vexation' becomes 'pique' (pique is a kind of vexation**).
'surrounding' indicates putting letters inside.
'strangely' indicates anagramming the letters.
'shy' with letters rearranged gives 'hys'.
'pique' enclosing 'hys' is 'PHYSIQUE'.

(Other definitions for physique that I've seen before include "Form" , "Person's build and muscular development" , "Constitution of the human body" , "Bodily type, build, or constitution" , "Shape and size of a person's body" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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