The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word EMERITUS
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
E
M
E
R
I
T
U
S
More clues leading to the result EMERITUS
- Aussies missing flight holding flag up, having retained title
- Appeal about maintaining virtue in retirement
- Uncle slowing down Amercian Prof who’s retired
- No orisons needed for meritoriousness presented to one honourably discharged
- Holding flag up, Australian natives found in honourable retirement
- Birds admitting hanky-panky at Queen’s like retired academic
- Non-fliers, holding US wheel-protector back, honourably discharged
- Female moves up, but retains worth as an honorary professor
- Ex-professor rues time wasted
- Take to court over retaining worth and title in retirement
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Prof who’s retired" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case prof who’s retired = emeritus.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 EMERITUS mean?
EMERITUS noun- A person retired in this sense.
- Retired, but retaining an honorific version of a previous title.