The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word FIFE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
F
I
F
E
More clues leading to the result FIFE
- Instrument's condition when given case of iron
- Instrument primarily for incisions, for example
- Independent English or Scottish kingdom
- It’s played very loudly around one eastern county
- One’s played for Scottish kingdom
- What’s played in part of Scotland?
- European following tips from famous inglenook finally gets somewhere in Scotland
- Musical instrument somewhere in Scotland
- One entertained by very loud electronic instrument
- What’s provided in iron pipe?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Instrument" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case instrument = fife.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 FIFE mean?
FIFE noun- A small shrill pipe, resembling the piccolo flute, used chiefly to accompany the drum in military music
- To play this instrument.
- Used instead of five in radio communications to avoid confusion.