The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word CROOK
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
C
R
O
O
K
More clues leading to the result CROOK
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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 CROOK mean?
CROOK noun- A bend; turn; curve; curvature; a flexure.
- A bending of the knee; a genuflection.
- A bent or curved part; a curving piece or portion (of anything).
- A lock or curl of hair.
- A gibbet.
- A support beam consisting of a post with a cross-beam resting upon it; a bracket or truss consisting of a vertical piece, a horizontal piece, and a strut.
- A shepherd's crook; a staff with a semi-circular bend ("hook") at one end used by shepherds.
- A bishop's staff of office.
- An artifice; a trick; a contrivance.
- A person who steals, lies, cheats or does other dishonest or illegal things; a criminal.
- A pothook.
- A small tube, usually curved, applied to a trumpet, horn, etc., to change its pitch or key.
- To bend, or form into a hook.
- To become bent or hooked.
- To turn from the path of rectitude; to pervert; to misapply; to twist.
- Bad, unsatisfactory, not up to standard.
- Ill, sick.
- Annoyed, angry; upset.