Cryptic crossword clue
Mad about European moderates 5

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word BATES

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
B
A
T
E
S

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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 BATES mean?

BATES verb
  1. To reduce the force of something; to abate.
  2. To restrain, usually with the sense of being in anticipation
  3. (sometimes figurative) To cut off, remove, take away.
  4. To leave out, except, bar.
  5. To waste away.
  6. To deprive of.
  7. To lessen by retrenching, deducting, or reducing; to abate; to beat down; to lower.
  8. To allow by way of abatement or deduction.
BATES verb
  1. To contend or strive with blows or arguments.
  2. Of a falcon: To flap the wings vigorously; to bait.
BATES verb
  1. To soak leather so as to remove chemicals used in tanning; to steep in bate.
BATES verb
  1. To masturbate.

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