The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word CHIEF
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
C
H
I
E
F
More clues leading to the result CHIEF
- Head cook touring India
- Part of arch, ie fallen arch
- Island captured by revolutionary female leader
- Main, one fed to cook
- Main source of inspiration in cook
- First among characters hailed in each fiefdom
- Principal criminal using cocaine for time
- If he orders, follow Conservative leader
- Prime cut from roach — ie fillet
- Most prominent cook has one
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "First among characters hailed in each fiefdom" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case first among characters hailed in each fiefdom = chief.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 CHIEF mean?
CHIEF noun- A leader or head of a group of people, organisation, etc.
- The top part of a shield or escutcheon; more specifically, an ordinary consisting of the upper part of the field cut off by a horizontal line, generally occupying the top third.
- The principal part or top of anything.
- An informal term of address, sometimes ironic.
- To smoke cannabis.
- Primary; principal.
- Intimate, friendly.