The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word EXEMPLAR
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
E
X
E
M
P
L
A
R
More clues leading to the result EXEMPLAR
- Former barrister killing time sees model
- Model former beheaded knight
- Former English politician having endless fun as model
- Ideal version of Mexican pearl one’s able to ‘disappear’
- Former knight with no time for model
- Former knight seen timelessly as model
- Former barrister maybe killing time sees model
- Model of old crusader heading off
- Former wife’s stylish perm snaring US city type
- Former ‘Marple’ crackpot is the ideal model
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "model" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case model = exemplar.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 EXEMPLAR mean?
EXEMPLAR noun- Something fit to be imitated; an ideal, a model.
- A role model.
- Something typical or representative of a class; an example.
- A pattern after which others should be made; an archetype.
- A well known usage of a scientific theory.
- A handwritten manuscript used by a scribe to make a handwritten copy; the original copy of what gets multiply reproduced in a copy machine.
- A copy of a book or piece of writing.
- Exemplary.