The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word DULCIMER
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
D
U
L
C
I
M
E
R
More clues leading to the result DULCIMER
- Historic instrument: relic spattered with mud
- Multi-coloured posh tool left out oddly
- Girl entertaining millions with right instrument
- Instrument put Il Duceinitially right out
- Lord upset by crime that’s involved one hit with hammer
- Beaten mid-clue by setter’s ultimate instrument
- Cure mild hiccups, bringing instrument
- Not a drum, Alice hammered percussion instrument
- ‘Motley Crue’ with mild treatment for instrument
- Instrument rim clued differently
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 = dulcimer.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 DULCIMER mean?
DULCIMER noun- A stringed instrument, with strings stretched across a sounding board, usually trapezoidal. It is played on the lap or horizontally on a table. Some have their own legs. These musical instruments are played by plucking on the strings (traditionally with a quill) or by tapping on them (in the case of the hammer dulcimers).