The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word MARTINET
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
M
A
R
T
I
N
E
T
More clues leading to the result MARTINET
- Appallingly trite man, strict disciplinarian
- Time after time in soldier we see a disciplinarian
- Stickler's point in market
- Unbending stickler’s point in trading place
- Strict disciplinarian‘s right to set about wayward inmate? Just the opposite
- Rigorous person in market securing point
- Stickler investing money, English, in trading centre
- Stickler for skill in middle of aiming trap for fish
- Cunning popular in force as authoritarian
- Bird with extremes of effort becoming disciplinarian
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "authoritarian" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case authoritarian = martinet.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 MARTINET mean?
MARTINET noun- A strict disciplinarian.
- Anyone who lays stress on a rigid adherence to the details of discipline, or to forms and fixed methods or rules.
- A martin; a swift.