The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word UNIVERSAL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
U
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
L
More clues leading to the result UNIVERSAL
- Worldwide student poetry almost entirely unfinished
- Common place to learn ode cut by a line
- Veal ruins fancy blanket
- General place to study poems cut by a line
- Bath, say, girl left clutching small blanket
- Global peacekeepers against entering unstable Israel
- How 8 20 is rated, commonly third out of four
- Save ruin crumbling and left for everyone to see
- Studios for all
- Republican values in turmoil worldwide
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "General" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case general = universal.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 UNIVERSAL mean?
UNIVERSAL noun- A characteristic or property that particular things have in common.
- Of or pertaining to the universe.
- Common to all members of a group or class.
- Common to all society; worldwide
- Unlimited; vast; infinite
- Useful for many purposes; all-purpose.