The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word AXED
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
A
X
E
D
More clues leading to the result AXED
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "abandoned" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case abandoned = axed.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 AXED mean?
AXED verb- To request (information, or an answer to a question).
- To put forward (a question) to be answered.
- To interrogate or enquire of (a person).
- To request or petition; usually with for.
- To request permission to do something.
- To require, demand, claim, or expect, whether by way of remuneration or return, or as a matter of necessity.
- To invite.
- To publish in church for marriage; said of both the banns and the persons.
- To take (a person's situation) as an example.
- To fell or chop with an axe.
- To lay off, terminate or drastically reduce, especially in a rough or ruthless manner; to cancel.
- To furnish with an axle.
- Having a specified number of type of axis.