Cryptic crossword clue
Certain cabinet members once sat around in drabs, forlornly 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word BASTARDS

B
A
S
T
A
R
D
S

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "certain (Major-era) cabinet members, once" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case certain (major-era) cabinet members, once = bastards.
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 BASTARDS mean?

BASTARDS noun
  1. A person who was born out of wedlock, and hence often considered an illegitimate descendant.
  2. A mongrel (biological cross between different breeds, groups or varieties).
  3. (typically referring to a man) A contemptible, inconsiderate, overly or arrogantly rude or spiteful person.
  4. A man, a fellow, a male friend.
  5. (often preceded by 'poor') A person deserving of pity.
  6. A child who does not know his or her father.
  7. Something extremely difficult or unpleasant to deal with.
  8. A variation that is not genuine; something irregular or inferior or of dubious origin, fake or counterfeit.
  9. An intermediate-grade file; also bastard file.
  10. A sweet wine.
  11. A sword that is midway in length between a short-sword and a long sword; also bastard sword.
  12. An inferior quality of soft brown sugar, obtained from syrups that have been boiled several times.
  13. A large mould for straining sugar.
  14. A writing paper of a particular size.
  15. A Eurosceptic Conservative MP, especially in the government of John Major.

Latest crossword clues with full explanations