The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word TOLD
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
T
O
L
D
More clues leading to the result TOLD
- Let know familiar tenor must be left
- Instructed dolt to move
- Had impact at first that one loved dearly
- Related to Churchill’s last daughter
- Reportedly rang and confessed
- Ordered ‘Stop all ado, removing restraints!’
- Informed lecturer to appear in upcoming period
- Instructed in time past
- Reportedly ‘Summoned by Bells’, as were the 17ac
- Informed team’s leader, getting on in years
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Instructed" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case instructed = told.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 TOLD mean?
TOLD verb- (archaic outside of idioms) To count, reckon, or enumerate.
- To narrate.
- To convey by speech; to say.
- To instruct or inform.
- To order; to direct, to say to someone.
- To discern, notice, identify or distinguish.
- To reveal.
- To be revealed.
- To have an effect, especially a noticeable one; to be apparent, to be demonstrated.
- To use (beads or similar objects) as an aid to prayer.
- To inform someone in authority about a wrongdoing.
- (authorship) To reveal information in prose through outright expository statement -- contrasted with show