The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word CATHOLIC
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
C
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More clues leading to the result CATHOLIC
- Broad consequence of wind perhaps seizing hat husband put down
- All-embracing need to leave brothel to ladies primarily in charge
- Broad baby’s complaint about knitted hat
- Broad-minded churchgoer
- Universal problem for baby clothes at hospital
- General, a believer
- Broad-minded person with craving for lions, tigers etc?
- Oil catch freely, being liberal
- Religious person caught cold hosting at Hindu festival
- Believer, of a sort, at hospital, in severe pain
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "All-embracing" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case all-embracing = catholic.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 CATHOLIC mean?
CATHOLIC adjective- Of the Western Christian church, as differentiated from e.g. the Orthodox church.
- Of the Roman Catholic church in particular.
- Universal; all-encompassing.
- Pertaining to all kinds of people and their range of tastes, proclivities etc.; liberal.