The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word TRADESMAN
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
T
R
A
D
E
S
M
A
N
More clues leading to the result TRADESMAN
- Doctor and master plumber, say
- Smart Dane working as shopkeeper, perhaps
- Perhaps electrician winds item – a bobbin, ultimately
- Shopkeeper, for example, exchanges staff
- New master and merchant
- Skilled hand and master at sea
- Shopkeeper and master criminal
- Star named dreadful artisan
- Designated facility rejected housing small retailer?
- Reputation bound to rise about small shopkeeper
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "merchant" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case merchant = tradesman.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 TRADESMAN mean?
TRADESMAN noun- A skilled manual worker (implied male).
- One who trades; a shopkeeper.