The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word MALINGER
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
M
A
L
I
N
G
E
R
More clues leading to the result MALINGER
- Note fish in sea abroad seem diseased
- Start to accept fish in sea abroad seem diseased?
- Seem ill: upset a gremlin
- One exits West African countries to avoid duty
- Fake illness needs mother to stay around
- Opt to skip work to translate Germinal
- . . . . put it on to stay with mother
- Avoid work in translation of Germinal
- Throw a sickie and hang around close to mum
- Parent to stick around for loaf
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "loaf" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case loaf = malinger.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 MALINGER mean?
MALINGER verb- To feign illness, injury, or incapacitation in order to avoid work, obligation, or perilous risk.
- To self-inflict real injury or infection (to inflict self-harm) in order to avoid work, obligation, or perilous risk.