The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word UMLAUTS
U
M
L
A
U
T
S
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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 UMLAUTS mean?
UMLAUTS noun- An assimilatory process whereby a vowel is pronounced more like a following vocoid that is separated by one or more consonants.
- The umlaut process (as above) that occurred historically in Germanic languages whereby back vowels became front vowels when followed by syllable containing a front vocoid (e.g. Germanic lūsiz > Old English lȳs(i) > Modern English lice).
- A vowel so assimilated.
- The diacritical mark ( ¨ ) placed over a vowel when it indicates a (rounded) front vowel
- Diaeresis
- To place an umlaut over (a vowel).
- To modify (a word) so that an umlaut is required in it.