The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word TRUNCATE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
T
R
U
N
C
A
T
E
More clues leading to the result TRUNCATE
- With constant coverage, novel can’t get contract
- Chest picked up by crew, reportedly cut
- Cut short series about to be shown in gallery
- Make shorter drive with jazz fan into heart of Ostend
- Shorten time to dash about at the back
- Tense old character keeps pet trim
- Under discussion, case number cut short
- Shorten lead of Newfoundland approaching pet right outside
- Curtail reporting of case eight
- Case to be heard before tea out will be cut short
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Cut short" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case cut short = truncate.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 TRUNCATE mean?
TRUNCATE verb- To shorten (something) by, or as if by, cutting part of it off.
- To shorten (a decimal number) by removing trailing (or leading) digits.
- To replace a corner by a plane (or to make a similar change to a crystal).
- Truncated.
- Having an abrupt termination.