The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word TABULATE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
T
A
B
U
L
A
T
E
More clues leading to the result TABULATE
- Bill you reportedly delayed, set out systematically
- Design a format for a battle fought about university
- Arrange data in a way that’s socially unacceptable and overdue
- Catalogue not allowed after the usual time
- Order to appear in Mount Abu later
- List something that's forbidden after hours
- Check top recent list
- Record forbidden recently
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Design a format" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case design a format = tabulate.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 TABULATE mean?
TABULATE noun- A pill, a tablet.
- To arrange in tabular form; to arrange into a table.
- To set out as a list; to enumerate, to list.
- To enter into an official register or roll.
- To shape with a flat surface.
- A member of the order Tabulata.
- Describing a member of an extinct order of corals, the Tabulata: having tabulae (well-developed horizontal internal partitions within each cell).