The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word ARCHANGEL
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
A
R
C
H
A
N
G
E
L
More clues leading to the result ARCHANGEL
- A switch between opposing sides in port
- Main investor brings port — it's often chilled!
- Chief financial backer in Russian port
- Port Gabriel, for one
- A king to replace Bible’s fourth divine messenger?
- A bad clanger involving husband Michael perhaps
- Winged creature, vaguely clear, about to hover
- Perhaps Michael keeps right coins in aluminium container
- Reform accepted by both sides under American and Russian settlement
- Artist returning coins beginner produced for heavenly being
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Perhaps Michael" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case perhaps michael = archangel.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 ARCHANGEL mean?
ARCHANGEL noun- A powerful angel that leads many other angels, but is still loyal to a deity, and often seen as belonging to a particular archangelical rank or order within a greater hierarchy of angels. (Judeo-Christian examples: Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, Uriel).