Crossword Genius

Submission of study describing free movement about Europe (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deference

'submission' is the definition.
(submitting or deferring to another's authority)

'study describing free movement about europe' is the wordplay.
'study' becomes 'den' (term for a study or office).
'describing' indicates putting letters inside (describe can mean to form the outline of).
'movement' is an anagram indicator (letters move around).
'about' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'europe' becomes 'ec' (abbreviation for European Commission).
'ec' written backwards gives 'ce'.
'free' anagrammed gives 'fere'.
'den' placed around 'fere' is 'deferen'.
'deferen'+'ce'='DEFERENCE'

'of' is the link.

(Other definitions for deference that I've seen before include "given respect" , "Respect; submission" , "honour" , "Reed fence? (anag)" , "show respect" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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