Cryptic crossword clue
Intensively study part of the 10 for spiked plates 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word CRAMPONS

I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
C
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "spiked plates" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case spiked plates = crampons.
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 CRAMPONS mean?

CRAMPONS noun
  1. An attachment to a shoe or boot that provides traction by means of spikes. Used for climbing or walking on slippery surfaces, especially ice.
  2. An aerial rootlet for support in climbing, as of ivy.
  3. A heraldic figure in the form of a bar bent at the ends into the form of a hook.

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