The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word LAPDOG
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
L
A
P
D
O
G
More clues leading to the result LAPDOG
- California police try to return pampered pet
- One docile and subservient as a greyhound?
- Perhaps Pluto and friend upset Chihuahua, say
- Plod randomly round Austria's capital with good person in attendance
- Stretch then follow devoted supporter
- Try to get Dutch friend to return a pampered pooch
- Californian officers go back for instrument
- Devoted attendant paid in the end, after rejection
- Almighty ally turns into a docile creature
- Sycophant in Californian force taking westbound journey
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "instrument" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case instrument = lapdog.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 LAPDOG mean?
LAPDOG noun- A small toy dog, kept as household pet, whose light weight and companionable temperament make it both suited and disposed to spend time resting in the comfort of its master's lap; a dog bred to behave in this manner.
- (by extension) A person who behaves in a servile manner, such as a sycophantic employee or a fawning lover.