Don't lose quiet shyness (8)

I believe the answer is:

preserve

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'don't lose' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'quiet shyness' is the wordplay.
'quiet' becomes 'p' (music symbol for 'piano', ie soft or quiet).
'shyness' becomes 'reserve'.
'p'+'reserve'='PRESERVE'

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(Other definitions for preserve that I've seen before include "kipper?" , "Maintain - jam" , "speciality" , "Keep out of harm's way" , "Keep from decay in perverse way" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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