The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word VILE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
V
I
L
E
More clues leading to the result VILE
- Base in small community from which convict’s escaped
- Horrible convict not seen in Hamlet
- Horribly evil!
- Listened to German composer – horrible!
- Tours for one avoiding lake that’s foul
- Foul conclusion in contest, ugly
- Evil, possibly depraved
- Five lie in assembly — that’s abominable!
- Horrible little container for water in sound
- Foul and wicked, beginning to end
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Base" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case base = vile.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 VILE mean?
VILE adjective- Morally low; base; despicable.
- Causing physical or mental repulsion; horrid.