The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word PRETEXT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
P
R
E
T
E
X
T
More clues leading to the result PRETEXT
- Front page has concerning message
- False justification before writing?
- Excuse at a time when letters were still awaiting discovery?
- Cover coming before book?
- Excuse for telegram, presumably?
- Excuse used before the advent of phone messaging
- Excuse put forward before modern communications method
- Excuse is almost fair embracing former wife
- What’s not entirely attractive about old flame’s excuse?
- Quietly send another message by way of excuse
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Front" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case front = pretext.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 PRETEXT mean?
PRETEXT noun- A false, contrived, or assumed purpose or reason; a pretense.
- To employ a pretext, which involves using a false or contrived purpose for soliciting the gain of something else.