The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word DEVIL
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
D
E
V
I
L
More clues leading to the result DEVIL
- Wasn’t dying about Dickens
- Cavalier endured around 31 days custody
- Dickens supported himself after retirement
- Rogue survived being knocked about
- Was about to season highly and cook
- He leads many to sin
- Dickens had a life after retiring
- Was about to show fighting spirit
- Originator of dreadful wickedness?
- Was raised to be a cheeky type
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Dickens" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case dickens = devil.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 DEVIL mean?
DEVIL noun- An evil creature.
- (with article) The chief devil; Satan.
- A fictional image of a man, usually red or orange in skin color; with a set of horns on his head, a pointed goatee and a long tail and carrying a pitchfork; that represents evil and portrayed to children in an effort to discourage bad behavior.
- The bad part of the conscience; the opposite to the angel.
- A wicked or naughty person, or one who harbors reckless, spirited energy, especially in a mischievous way; usually said of a young child.
- A thing that is awkward or difficult to understand or do.
- (with an article, as an intensifier) Hell.
- A person, especially a man; used to express a particular opinion of him, usually in the phrases poor devil and lucky devil.
- A dust devil.
- (Christian Science) An evil or erring entity.
- (in compounds) A barren, unproductive and unused area.
- A dish, as a bone with the meat, broiled and excessively peppered; a grill with Cayenne pepper.
- A machine for tearing or cutting rags, cotton, etc.
- A Tasmanian devil.
- An endurance event where riders who fall behind are periodically eliminated.
- To make like a devil; to invest with the character of a devil.
- To annoy or bother.
- To work as a ‘devil’; to work for a lawyer or writer without fee or recognition.
- To prepare (food) with spices, making it spicy: