The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word SOCIETIES
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
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More clues leading to the result SOCIETIES
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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 SOCIETIES mean?
SOCIETIES noun- A long-standing group of people sharing cultural aspects such as language, dress, norms of behavior and artistic forms.
- A group of people who meet from time to time to engage in a common interest; an association or organization.
- The sum total of all voluntary interrelations between individuals.
- The people of one’s country or community taken as a whole.
- High society.
- A number of people joined by mutual consent to deliberate, determine and act toward a common goal.