Cryptic crossword clue
Dig is fine playfully meant 9

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word SIGNIFIED

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
S
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "meant" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case meant = signified.
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 SIGNIFIED mean?

SIGNIFIED noun
  1. (structuralism) The concept or idea evoked by a sign.
SIGNIFIED verb
  1. To create a sign out of something.
  2. To give (something) a meaning or an importance.
  3. To show one’s intentions with a sign etc.; to indicate, announce.
  4. To mean; to betoken.
  5. To make a difference; to matter (in negative or interrogative expressions).

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