The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word GERMINAL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
G
E
R
M
I
N
A
L
More clues leading to the result GERMINAL
- In a sort of cell a month after the French Revolution
- Malinger at work? That’s novel
- Early gremlin, a failing
- Time of revolution finishing — grand for short time
- Novel in the earliest stage of development
- Creative girl with name to conjure with
- Malinger criminally at very early stage
- Mean girl somehow beginning to develop
- Revolutionary period with good end but not beginning
- Malinger, albeit poorly in earliest stage
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Early" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case early = germinal.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 GERMINAL mean?
GERMINAL adjective- Relating to spring
- Pertaining, similar, or belonging to a germ.
- Relating to a plant ovary
- Serving as a point of origin; formative.
- Highly influential; seminal.