The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word MILLENNIA
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
M
I
L
L
E
N
N
I
A
More clues leading to the result MILLENNIA
- Philosopher one girl entertains over the years
- Philosopher, one engaged by queen over many years
- Philosopher has terribly inane periods
- ’80s child has shed pounds for a very long time
- Young adult going short for a very long time
- Working in mine with all ages
- Note modulating all nine periods
- Factory girl I enlisted returns for long spells
- Grind energy bar up, ace for long periods
- Ages to get nine all — I’m shattered
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "periods" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case periods = millennia.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 MILLENNIA mean?
MILLENNIA noun- A period of time consisting of one thousand years.
- The period of one thousand years during which Christ will reign on earth (according to Millenarianist interpretations).
- A period of universal happiness, peace or prosperity; a utopia.
- (with definite article) The year in which one period of one thousand years ends and another begins, especially the year 2000.