The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word BROOD
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
B
R
O
O
D
More clues leading to the result BROOD
- Family think negatively
- Made tea, we hear, for children
- Cross after heading for beach to find litter
- A lot of children ponder morbidly
- Clutch balls primarily by back opening
- Clutch bible, most frequently with cross
- Children made thematic stuff, it’s said
- Children sulk
- Meditate moodily on family
- Bishop opening up to children
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Children" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case children = brood.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 BROOD mean?
BROOD noun- The young of certain animals, especially a group of young birds or fowl hatched at one time by the same mother.
- The young of any egg-laying creature, especially if produced at the same time.
- The eggs and larvae of social insects such as bees, ants and some wasps, especially when gathered together in special brood chambers or combs within the colony.
- The children in one family; offspring.
- That which is bred or produced; breed; species.
- Parentage.
- Heavy waste in tin and copper ores.
- To keep an egg warm to make it hatch.
- To protect (something that is gradually maturing); to foster.
- (typically with about or over) To dwell upon moodily and at length, mainly alone.
- To be bred.
- Kept or reared for breeding, said of animals.