Cryptic crossword clue
Box with nine in – one missing 7

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word SPANNER

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
S
P
A
N
N
E
R


Buddy explains!

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 SPANNER mean?

SPANNER noun
  1. A hand tool for adjusting nuts and bolts; a wrench.
  2. One who, or that which, spans.
  3. A hand tool shaped like a small crank handle, for winding the spring of a wheel lock on a musket.
  4. A device in early steam engines for moving the valves for the alternate admission and shutting off of the steam.
  5. A problem, dilemma or obstacle; something unexpected or troublesome (in the phrase spanner in the works)
  6. (mildly) A stupid or unintelligent person; one prone to making mistakes, especially in language.

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