The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word ESTER
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
E
S
T
E
R
More clues leading to the result ESTER
- Compound kept by some Westerners
- Steer madly for compound
- Badger without the benefit of quiet compound
- Woman abandoning husband in compound
- Compound fracture reset
- Woman abandoning horse in compound
- Fragrant substance produced when badger scratches head
- 3 Book Henry’s missing in this compound
- Dumping area in festival’s compound
- Leader among acrobats exits festival compound
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "compound" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case compound = ester.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 ESTER mean?
ESTER noun- A compound most often formed by the condensation of an alcohol and an acid, with elimination of water, which contains the functional group carbon-oxygen double bond joined via carbon to another oxygen atom.