The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word MORSE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
M
O
R
S
E
More clues leading to the result MORSE
- American inventor leaving small item unfinished
- Telegraph characters sent over in Times Roman
- Love once forsworn by sullen sleuth
- & 23dn. Cry for help expressed in this version of some credo?
- Inventor showing regret when putting off engineers
- & 24 Flashy system buggered up some credo?
- Means of communication with a walrus?
- Somewhat dotty detective?
- TV detective a bit short
- Detective with feeling of contrition about to be let off
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "sleuth" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case sleuth = morse.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 MORSE mean?
MORSE noun- A clasp or fastening used to fasten a cope in the front, usually decorative.
- A walrus.