The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word MINERAL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
M
I
N
E
R
A
L
More clues leading to the result MINERAL
- Underground worker wants a large fizzy drink
- Strange marine life's origin in one sort of water
- Pit-worker in front of aluminium ore
- Drink in time involving small amount of liquid? Just the reverse
- Inorganic substance during time breaking large mass up
- Boatman’s really odd, being neither animal nor vegetable
- Possibly, rock goddess not very ladylike at first
- Pitman with a large soft drink
- Beryl perhaps kinky in male clothing right?
- Substance belongs to me? Really odd!
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "being neither animal nor vegetable" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case being neither animal nor vegetable = mineral.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 MINERAL mean?
MINERAL noun- Any naturally occurring inorganic material that has a (more or less) definite chemical composition and characteristic physical properties.
- Any inorganic material (as distinguished from animal or vegetable).
- (nutrition) Any inorganic element that is essential to nutrition; a dietary mineral.
- Mineral water.
- A soft drink, particularly a single serve bottle or can.
- A mine or mineral deposit.
- A poisonous or dangerous substance.
- Of, related to, or containing minerals