The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word ROASTS
R
O
A
S
T
S
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The straight part
We know that "Pans" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case pans = roasts.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 ROASTS mean?
ROASTS noun- A cut of meat suited to roasting
- A meal consisting of roast foods.
- The degree to which something, especially coffee, is roasted.
- A comical event, originally fraternal, where a person is subjected to verbal attack, yet may be praised by sarcasm and jokes.
- To cook food by heating in an oven or over a fire without covering, resulting in a crisp, possibly even slightly charred appearance.
- To cook by surrounding with hot embers, ashes, sand, etc.
- To process by drying through exposure to sun or artificial heat
- To heat to excess; to heat violently; to burn.
- To admonish someone vigorously
- To subject to bantering, severely criticize, sometimes as a comedy routine.
- To dissipate by heat the volatile parts of, as ores.