The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word AXIS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
X
I
S
More clues leading to the result AXIS
- Line of cabs, first one leaving
- Number returning to a centre of revolution
- A small number backing WWII alliance
- Starter stolen from hired vehicle's central part
- A small number coming up the Central Line
- The Central Line in E London has eleven stops
- A throw of the dice rejected in centre of revolution
- Boundary area around the Central line
- Central Line, a number westbound
- Spinning line for a boundary return
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "WWII alliance" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case wwii alliance = axis.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 AXIS mean?
AXIS noun- An imaginary line around which an object spins (an axis of rotation) or is symmetrically arranged (an axis of symmetry).
- A fixed one-dimensional figure, such as a line or arc, with an origin and orientation and such that its points are in one-to-one correspondence with a set of numbers; an axis forms part of the basis of a space or is used to position and locate data in a graph (a coordinate axis)
- The second cervical vertebra of the spine
- A form of classification and descriptions of mental disorders or disabilities used in manuals such as the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
- The main stem or central part about which organs or plant parts such as branches are arranged
- Axis axis, a deer native to Asia.