The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word SUBCLASS
S
U
B
C
L
A
S
S
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "one of lower orders?" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case one of lower orders? = subclass.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.
Crossword Answer definitions
SUBCLASS noun- An object class derived from another class (its superclass) from which it inherits a base set of properties and methods.
- A rank directly below class
- A secondary class within a main class.
- (in object-oriented programming) To create a subclass of (some class).
- To cause (an object) to act as an instance of a subclass (by creating the desired subclass and instantiating an object of this subclass).