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Was afraid bloodsucker lost out to cardinal? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

feared

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'was afraid' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

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(Other definitions for feared that I've seen before include "Dreaded" , "Was terrified" , "Was afraid of" , "Was in awe of" , "Was uneasy or apprehensive about" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).
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