The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word FINDING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
F
I
N
D
I
N
G
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Discovery" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case discovery = finding.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 FINDING mean?
FINDING verb- To encounter or discover by accident; to happen upon.
- To encounter or discover something being searched for; to locate.
- (ditransitive) To discover by study or experiment direct to an object or end.
- To gain, as the object of desire or effort.
- To attain to; to arrive at; to acquire.
- To point out.
- (ditransitive) To decide that, to discover that, to form the opinion that.
- To arrive at, as a conclusion; to determine as true; to establish.
- To supply; to furnish.
- To provide for
- To determine or judge.
- To discover game.
- A result of research or an investigation.
- A formal conclusion by a judge, jury or regulatory agency on issues of fact.
- That which is found, a find, a discovery.
- The act of discovering something by chance, an instance of finding something by chance.
- (generally plural) Tools or materials used in shoe making or repair.
- A self-contained component of assembled jewellery.