The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 plus 3 letter word CLOTHES PEG
I've seen this crossword clue in The Sunday Telegraph
C
L
O
T
H
E
S
P
E
G
More clues leading to the result CLOTHES PEG
- On-line security device, block keeping the second page empty
- On-line security measure
- One holding to line from the gospel translated by Catholic
- . New CO. gets help for one stuck on the line
- Suspender for stocking?
- Actor Earl breaks shoe in on-line clip?
- Online help for one wanting to dry out?
- Comic actor forgets washerwoman’s tips, such as ‘I hold laundry!’
- Idiot – he is quiet, say, as one stuck on the line?
- Idiot sheep milling around terminus in Reading — it holds things up on the line
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "It’s used to secure gear" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case it’s used to secure gear = clothes peg.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 CLOTHES PEG mean?
CLOTHES PEG noun- An object (usually made of wood or plastic) used to attach wet laundry to a clothesline so that it (the laundry) can dry.