The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word LASER
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
L
A
S
E
R
More clues leading to the result LASER
- Large ears reshaped in surgical beam
- Beam, having upheld most of later transaction
- Light starts to leave all stars, every rotation
- Light beer special for German
- Supplier of narrow light dinghy
- Strong light beer — good to be small
- Such surgery scares a lot — not all coming back
- Beam when admitted by the French Queen
- Optical device initially put together, first patented in 1960
- Large ears reshaped — such treatment as benefits looker
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "an optical device" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case an optical device = laser.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 LASER mean?
LASER noun- A device that produces a monochromatic, coherent beam of light.
- A beam of light produced by such a device; a laser beam.
- A laser printer.
- To cut with a laser
- To throw with laser-like precision
- A gum resin obtained from certain umbelliferous plants.
- Such a plant.