The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 11 letter word ARCHDEACONS
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More clues leading to the result ARCHDEACONS
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "people in a higher office" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case people in a higher office = archdeacons.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 ARCHDEACONS mean?
ARCHDEACONS noun- In the Anglican and Eastern Orthodox systems, a senior administrative official in a diocese, just under the bishop, often in charge of an archdeaconry. As a title, it can be filled by either a deacon or priest.