The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word WINDOWS
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
W
I
N
D
O
W
S
Buddy explains!
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 WINDOWS mean?
WINDOWS noun- The inedible parts of a grain-producing plant.
- Straw or hay cut up fine for the food of cattle.
- Any excess or unwanted material, resource, or person; anything worthless.
- Light jesting talk; banter; raillery.
- Loose material, e.g. small strips of aluminum foil dropped from aircraft, intended to interfere with radar detection.
- An opening, usually covered by one or more panes of clear glass, to allow light and air from outside to enter a building or vehicle.
- An opening, usually covered by glass, in a shop which allows people to view the shop and its products from outside; a shop window.
- The shutter, casement, sash with its fittings, or other framework, which closes a window opening.
- A period of time when something is available.
- A restricted range.
- A rectangular area on a computer terminal or screen containing some kind of user interface, displaying the output of and allowing input for one of a number of simultaneously running computer processes.
- A figure formed of lines crossing each other.
- The time between first infection and detectability.
- To furnish with windows.
- To place at or in a window.