The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word UNCLE
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
U
N
C
L
E
More clues leading to the result UNCLE
- Relative giving vague directions, perhaps, losing last two
- Relative is a pawnbroker
- Article dropped by dirty relative
- Relative success for JP Martin
- Moneylender, ambiguous, dumping first of accounts receivable
- Relative with large pimple going carb- free
- Criminal clue about initially nice pawnbroker
- Across the pond Sam is one of the family
- One opens doors for Montmartre pawnbroker
- Family member is dirty, having pinched bottom twice!
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "pawnbroker" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case pawnbroker = uncle.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 UNCLE mean?
UNCLE noun- The brother or brother-in-law of one’s parent.
- The male cousin of one’s parent.
- A companion to one's (usually unmarried) mother.
- A source of advice, encouragement, or help.
- A pawnbroker.
- An affectionate term for a man of an older generation than oneself, especially a friend of one's parents, by means of fictive kin.
- An older male African-American person.
- To address somebody by the term uncle.
- To act like, or as, an uncle.
- A cry used to indicate surrender.