The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word DISGUISE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
D
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More clues leading to the result DISGUISE
- I issued new clasps good for mask
- Insult chaps spoken of in front
- Mask detective’s men during talk
- Criticise blokes heard in act of deception
- I guess I’d need dressing up for masquerade
- Issued GI going abroad with camouflage
- Detective’s men reportedly providing cover
- I guess ID may be tricky with this
- Detective’s men told to provide cover
- Dress up small vocal characters trailing princess
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "act of deception" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case act of deception = disguise.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 DISGUISE mean?
DISGUISE noun- Material (such as clothing, makeup, a wig) used to alter one’s visual appearance in order to hide one's identity or assume another.
- The appearance of something on the outside which masks what's beneath.
- The act of disguising, notably as a ploy.
- A change of behaviour resulting from intoxication.
- To change the appearance of (a person or thing) so as to hide, or to assume an identity.
- To avoid giving away or revealing (something secret); to hide by a false appearance.
- To affect or change by liquor; to intoxicate.