Cryptic crossword clue
Ancestor’s lost English refrains 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word FORBEARS

I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
F
O
R
B
E
A
R
S

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The straight part
We know that "refrains" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case refrains = forbears.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does FORBEARS mean?

FORBEARS verb
  1. To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from.
  2. To refrain from proceeding; to pause; to delay.
  3. To refuse; to decline; to withsay; to unheed.
  4. To control oneself when provoked.
FORBEARS noun
  1. An ancestor.

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