The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word HALOGEN
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
H
A
L
O
G
E
N
More clues leading to the result HALOGEN
- I for one ring back, say, before noon
- Element showing sign of holiness and knowledge
- Type of element in a journal kept by female
- Gloria has information on a non-metallic element
- Egg producer keeping a record of iodine, say
- Iodine, maybe, seen in ring of light above head of person with information
- Facts supporting light overhead, an element of lamps?
- Element of information suppressed by crown?
- Sort of element requiring information on aura
- Henry has information about oxygen and iodine, perhaps
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "a non-metallic element" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case a non-metallic element = halogen.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 HALOGEN mean?
HALOGEN noun- Any element of group 17, i.e. fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine, which form a salt by direct union with a metal.
- A light fixture in which the filament is surrounded by an atmosphere of a halogen gas,