The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word ABSTAINED
I've seen this crossword clue in The Sunday Telegraph
A
B
S
T
A
I
N
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D
More clues leading to the result ABSTAINED
- Sailor after getting drunk instead did the opposite?
- A bishop, tainted, made Lenten observance?
- Maybe avoided bitter disgrace, sleeping around
- Didn’t vote for awful British leaders – smeared
- Didn’t drink, having retired without disgrace
- Sailor getting damaged kept dry
- Spotted after a bishop avoided voting
- Dean’s a bit squiffy — should have this?
- Nasty sea bandit did not drink.
- Drunken beast and I declined drink
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "declined drink" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case declined drink = abstained.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 ABSTAINED mean?
ABSTAINED verb- Keep or withhold oneself.
- Refrain from (something or doing something); keep from doing, especially an indulgence.
- Fast (not eat for a period).
- Deliberately refrain from casting one's vote at a meeting where one is present.
- Hinder; keep back; withhold.