The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word FAGGOT
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The straight part
We know that "meat ball" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case meat ball = faggot.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 FAGGOT mean?
FAGGOT noun- (collective) A bundle of sticks or brushwood intended to be used for fuel tied together for carrying. (Some sources specify that a faggot is tied with two bands or withes, whereas a bavin is tied with just one.)
- Burdensome baggage.
- A bundle of pieces of iron or steel cut off into suitable lengths for welding.
- A burning or smouldering piece of firewood.
- A meatball made with offcuts and offal, especially pork. (See Wikipedia.)
- An annoying or inconsiderate person.
- A shrewish woman.
- A homosexual man, especially an effeminate one.
- A man considered weak, effeminate, timid, pathetic, emotional, non-heteronormative in some way
- A soldier numbered on the muster-roll, but not really existing.
- A faggot voter.
- To make a fagot of; to bind together in a fagot or bundle.