The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word LIFELINE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
L
I
F
E
L
I
N
E
More clues leading to the result LIFELINE
- Rescuer put cat on lithium
- Bit of liver I set before cat? It’s on my palm
- Rescue is on hand for some readers
- Cat drops on cat as a means of survival
- Lion scratches on cat rescuer?
- Vital safeguard with large cat south of island
- This person swallowed by large tiger maybe means to survive
- Means to save one trapped by large cat
- Vital support mechanism raising the Roman cat
- Long Island cat’s salvation?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Means to save" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case means to save = lifeline.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 LIFELINE mean?
LIFELINE noun- A line to which a drowning or falling victim may cling.
- (by extension) A source of salvation in a crisis.
- A means or route for transporting indispensable supplies.
- System or structure of vital importance to a community.
- On the deck of a boat, a line to which one can attach oneself to stay aboard on rough seas.
- A line from the diver to a tender at the surface control point.
- A particular crease in the palm.