Cryptic crossword clue
Female Arabic barber 5

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word SHEAR

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
S
H
E
A
R

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

SHEAR noun
  1. A cutting tool similar to scissors, but often larger.
  2. The act of shearing, or something removed by shearing.
  3. Forces that push in opposite directions.
  4. A transformation that displaces every point in a direction parallel to some given line by a distance proportional to the point’s distance from the line.
  5. The response of a rock to deformation usually by compressive stress, resulting in particular textures.
SHEAR verb
  1. To cut, originally with a sword or other bladed weapon, now usually with shears, or as if using shears.
  2. To remove the fleece from a sheep etc by clipping.
  3. To deform because of forces pushing in opposite directions.
  4. To transform by displacing every point in a direction parallel to some given line by a distance proportional to the point’s distance from the line.
  5. To make a vertical cut in the coal.
  6. To reap, as grain.
  7. To deprive of property; to fleece.

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