Cryptic crossword clue
Nonetheless, lock is a prop 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word BUTTRESS

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
B
U
T
T
R
E
S
S


Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "a prop" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case a prop = buttress.
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 BUTTRESS mean?

BUTTRESS noun
  1. A brick or stone structure built against another structure to support it.
  2. Anything that serves to support something; a prop.
  3. A buttress-root.
  4. A feature jutting prominently out from a mountain or rock; a crag, a bluff.
  5. Anything that supports or strengthens.
BUTTRESS verb
  1. To support something physically with, or as if with, a prop or buttress.
  2. (by extension) To support something or someone by supplying evidence; to corroborate or substantiate.

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