The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word EARWIG
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
E
A
R
W
I
G
More clues leading to the result EARWIG
- Insect, shell-like, next to carpet
- Eavesdrop, seeing English king carrying a toupee
- Secretly listen in on insect
- Insect, I wager, is metamorphosing
- Insect was initially found in each fiddle
- I grew agitated holding a small insect
- Bug say inspiring war, I suspect
- Creepy thing’s organ with an artificial covering
- Crawler with hearing aid and false hair
- Insect’s organ warmer?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "small insect" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case small insect = earwig.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 EARWIG mean?
EARWIG noun- Any of various insects of the order Dermaptera that have elongated bodies, large membranous wings folded underneath short leathery forewings and a pair of large pincers protruding from the rear of the abdomen.
- One who whispers insinuations; a secret counsellor.
- A flatterer.
- To fill the mind of with prejudice by insinuations.
- To attempt to influence by persistent confidential argument or talk.
- To eavesdrop.
- To eavesdrop on.