The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word ANTIQUE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
A
N
T
I
Q
U
E
More clues leading to the result ANTIQUE
- Old article, quite shabby
- Ancient opponent completely lacking that special quality
- Historic item? Not in favour and quite dismissing it
- Early C18 garden furniture, you might say
- Auction item – one that’s quite odd
- Quite an upset from long ago
- Old opponent on adventure? No way
- Old article, quite battered
- Age-old dissident question upsetting Brussels?
- Clairvoyant I questioned about past
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "past" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case past = antique.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 ANTIQUE mean?
ANTIQUE noun- A grotesque representation of a figure; a gargoyle.
- A caricature.
- (often in plural) A ludicrous gesture or act; ridiculous behaviour; caper.
- A grotesque performer or clown, buffoon.
- Playful, funny, absurd
- Grotesque, incongruous.
- Grotesque, bizarre
- A pose, often exaggerated, in anticipation of an action; for example, a brief squat before jumping
- In general, anything very old; specifically:
- A style of type of thick and bold face in which all lines are of equal or nearly equal thickness.
- To search or shop for antiques.
- To make an object appear to be an antique in some way.
- To emboss without gilding.
- Having existed in ancient times, descended from antiquity; used especially in reference to Greece and Rome.
- Belonging to former times, not modern, out of date, old-fashioned.
- Designating a style of type.
- Embossed without gilt.