The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word ATRIA
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
A
T
R
I
A
More clues leading to the result ATRIA
- Bloody Chambers, an endless nuisance!
- A short test in lobbies
- A court case not quite enough for courts
- Hearing defective behind area in courtyards
- Halls test cut short after article
- An interminable case in courts
- A hearing finishing early in chambers
- A short experiment in central halls
- Bloody Chambers! It’s an endless nuisance
- Advanced examination incomplete in chambers
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "central halls" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case central halls = atria.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 ATRIA mean?
ATRIA noun- A central room or space in ancient Roman homes, open to the sky in the middle; a similar space in other buildings.
- A square hall lit by daylight from above, into which rooms open at one or more levels.
- A cavity, entrance, or passage.
- Any enclosed sexine and nexine layers, widening toward the interior of the grain.