Cryptic crossword clue
14 Dreadful face bearing a horrible boil and start of cyst 10

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word DIABOLICAL

I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
D
I
A
B
O
L
I
C
A
L


Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Dreadful/DIABOLICAL :  DIAL(face, of a watch or instrument) around(bearing) {A + anagram(horrible) of BOIL + C(first letter,start of cyst)}" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case dreadful/diabolical :  dial(face, of a watch or instrument) around(bearing) {a + anagram(horrible) of boil + c(first letter,start of cyst)} = diabolical.
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 DIABOLICAL mean?

DIABOLICAL adjective
  1. Extremely wicked or cruel.
  2. Of or concerning the devil; satanic.

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