Cryptic crossword clue
Ernie, possibly a servant 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word BONDSMAN

I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
B
O
N
D
S
M
A
N

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "a servant" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case a servant = bondsman.
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 BONDSMAN mean?

BONDSMAN noun
  1. A male slave.
  2. A male indentured servant.
  3. Someone who signs a bond that states that they have taken responsibility for someone else's obligations.

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