The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word ASSAILANT
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
A
S
S
A
I
L
A
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More clues leading to the result ASSAILANT
- Aggressor making trouble between two creatures
- Attacker of Xmas revelry deficiency — there’s never whiskey
- Inclined to admit suspect is a mugger
- Alsatians let loose to find aggressor
- One attacking a small kindly person outside LA
- Alsatians mauled attacker
- Aggressive type bringing trouble to worker, idiot at the top
- Attacker of Alsatians beaten up
- Asian last to rattle adversary
- Fool’s hurt? Six-footer is the
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "One attacking" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case one attacking = assailant.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 ASSAILANT mean?
ASSAILANT noun- Someone who attacks or assails another violently, or criminally.
- (by extension) A hostile critic or opponent.
- Assailing; attacking.