The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word SHORTEN
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
S
H
O
R
T
E
N
More clues leading to the result SHORTEN
- Cut the middle out, having had haircut outside
- Cut and cut around middle of patterns
- Back off beach, returning catch to dock
- Firm picked up Bo Derek’s score clip
- Prune others spreading, indefinite number
- Prune others growing wild, indefinite number
- Figure on endless beach finds dock
- Reduce time in seaside, heading north
- Cut around edges of tile to make smaller
- Get this by doing so to shore and to tend
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Cut" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case cut = shorten.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 SHORTEN mean?
SHORTEN verb- To make shorter; to abbreviate.
- To become shorter.
- To make deficient (as to); to deprive (of).
- To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard, etc.
- To reduce or diminish in amount, quantity, or extent; to lessen.
- To take in the slack of (a rope).
- To reduce (sail) by taking it in.