The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word HOBGOBLIN
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More clues leading to the result HOBGOBLIN
- Hotplate exploded – bingo! – over head of Lord Gnome
- Mischievous creature limping endlessly to conceal energy
- Start to swear briefly after lout becomes mischievous creature
- It’s a frightful thing, almost struggling to walk without glasses on, initially
- Turn two-thirds of pancakes on stove — it’s a frightful sight
- Evil creature walkin’ painfully without energy
- Frightful creature heard staggerin’ round raised marshland
- Mischievous spirit to depart, limpin’ around
- Traveller, not completely drunk, swallowing first drop of gin, the nasty creature
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "gnome" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case gnome = hobgoblin.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 HOBGOBLIN mean?
HOBGOBLIN noun- A small, ugly goblin that makes trouble for humans.
- (by extension) A source of dread, fear or apprehension; a bugbear.