The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word QUAY
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
Q
U
A
Y
More clues leading to the result QUAY
- Crucial-sounding place for handling ship’s cargo
- Landing-place is crucial, we hear
- Crucial-sounding place for loading and unloading ships
- Dock is important to auditor
- Area of port property not lit
- Cornish resort has no new wharf
- Discussed crucial landing-place
- Question a youth heading for pier
- Where to tie up victim deprived of his rights
- It’s rumoured to be the way in which sailors approach to land
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "place for handling ship’s cargo" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case place for handling ship’s cargo = quay.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 QUAY mean?
QUAY noun- A stone or concrete structure on navigable water used for loading and unloading vessels; a wharf.
- To land or tie up at a quay or similar structure, especially used in the phrase "quay up".