Cryptic crossword clue
A card game needing small contracts 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word ABRIDGES

I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
A
B
R
I
D
G
E
S

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "contracts" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case contracts = abridges.
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 ABRIDGES mean?

ABRIDGES verb
  1. To deprive; to cut off.
  2. To debar from.
  3. To make shorter; to shorten in duration or extent.
  4. To shorten or contract by using fewer words, yet retaining the sense; to epitomize; to condense.
  5. Cut short; truncate.
  6. To curtail.

Latest crossword clues with full explanations