Cryptic crossword clue
Part in 7 play for skilled operator 12

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 12 letter word PRACTITIONER

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
P
R
A
C
T
I
T
I
O
N
E
R

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "skilled operator" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case skilled operator = practitioner.
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.

Crossword Answer definitions

PRACTITIONER noun
  1. A person who practices a profession or art, especially law or medicine.
  2. One who does anything customarily or habitually.
  3. A sly or artful person.

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