The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word RUST
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
R
U
S
T
More clues leading to the result RUST
- Show signs of age in game on street
- Right about America’s corrosive influence
- Society in same old routine to deteriorate
- Corrosive effect of Russia over time
- Discoloration of plant opening in spring within furrow
- Brown bread outside, sliced
- Removing top layer of corrosion
- ...Crack around edge of stern causing oxidation
- Trustee conceals result of oxidation of metal
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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 RUST mean?
RUST noun- The deteriorated state of iron or steel as a result of moisture and oxidation.
- A similar substance based on another metal (usually with qualification, such as "copper rust").
- A reddish-brown color.
- A disease of plants caused by a reddish-brown fungus.
- Damage caused to stamps and album pages by a fungal infection.
- To oxidize, especially of iron or steel.
- To cause to oxidize.
- To be affected with the parasitic fungus called rust.
- To (cause to) degenerate in idleness; to make or become dull or impaired by inaction.