The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word SERVILE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
S
E
R
V
I
L
E
More clues leading to the result SERVILE
- Sycophantic knight, we hear, horrid
- Abject drunk lives without ever losing heart
- Fawning, repulsive gentleman reportedly advancing
- Obsequious performance of duty gets pound for Charlie
- Gentleman being heard, nasty and obsequious
- Leader of Society meeting Queen, loathsome and obsequious
- Dicky reviles fawning
- Reviles despicable fawning
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Fawning" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case fawning = servile.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 SERVILE mean?
SERVILE noun- (grammar) An element which forms no part of the original root.
- A slave; a menial.
- Of or pertaining to a slave.
- Submissive or slavish.
- (grammar) Not belonging to the original root.
- (grammar) Not sounded, but serving to lengthen the preceding vowel, like the e in tune.