The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word BORROW
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
B
O
R
R
O
W
More clues leading to the result BORROW
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "English author/to obtain from library" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case english author/to obtain from library = borrow.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 BORROW mean?
BORROW noun- Deviation of the path of a rolling ball from a straight line; slope; slant.
- A borrow pit.
- In the Rust programming language, the situation where the ownership of a value is temporarily transferred to another region of code.
- To receive (something) from somebody temporarily, expecting to return it.
- To take money from a bank under the agreement that the bank will be paid over the course of time.
- To adopt (an idea) as one's own.
- To adopt a word from another language.
- In a subtraction, to deduct (one) from a digit of the minuend and add ten to the following digit, in order that the subtraction of a larger digit in the subtrahend from the digit in the minuend to which ten is added gives a positive result.
- (Upper Midwestern United States) To lend.
- To temporarily obtain (something) for (someone).
- To feign or counterfeit.
- (obsolete except in ballads) To secure the release of (someone) from prison.
- To receive (something) from somebody, with little possibility of returning it.
- A ransom; a pledge or guarantee.
- A surety; someone standing bail.