Cryptic crossword clue
Picks up brown coat leader of hospital body’s dropped 5

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word RUSTS

I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
R
U
S
T
S

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Picks up brown coat" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case picks up brown coat = rusts.
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 RUSTS mean?

RUSTS noun
  1. The deteriorated state of iron or steel as a result of moisture and oxidation.
  2. A similar substance based on another metal (usually with qualification, such as "copper rust").
  3. A reddish-brown color.
  4. A disease of plants caused by a reddish-brown fungus.
  5. Damage caused to stamps and album pages by a fungal infection.
RUSTS verb
  1. To oxidize, especially of iron or steel.
  2. To cause to oxidize.
  3. To be affected with the parasitic fungus called rust.
  4. To (cause to) degenerate in idleness; to make or become dull or impaired by inaction.

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