The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word CLARIFIES
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Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Melts butter/to refine" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case melts butter/to refine = clarifies.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 CLARIFIES mean?
CLARIFIES verb- (of liquids, such as wine or syrup) To make clear or bright by freeing from feculent matter
- To make clear or easily understood; to explain in order to remove doubt or obscurity
- To grow or become clear or transparent; to become free from feculent impurities, as wine or other liquid under clarification.
- To grow clear or bright; to clear up.
- To glorify.