The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word MANIPLE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
M
A
N
I
P
L
E
More clues leading to the result MANIPLE
- Fellow has to squeeze inside clerical garment
- Laddish guards shot some soldiers once
- Father as before folds smart church vestment
- Maybe laddish guards shot some soldiers once
- Smart hiding among virile group facing Asterix?
- Pin back centre of masculine vestment
- A handful for Roman foot-soldiers
- Military unit where fellow hides bit of booze
- Roman army unit soldier the first to perish in French island
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "soldiers once" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case soldiers once = maniple.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 MANIPLE mean?
MANIPLE noun- A division of the Roman army numbering 120 (or sometimes 60) soldiers exclusive of officers; (generally) any small body of soldiers.
- In Western Christianity, an ornamental band or scarf worn upon the left arm as a part of the vestments of a priest in the Roman Catholic Church, and sometimes the Church of England.
- A hand; a fist.
- A handful.