The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word ESQUIRES
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
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More clues leading to the result ESQUIRES
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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 ESQUIRES mean?
ESQUIRES noun- A lawyer.
- A male member of the gentry ranking below a knight.
- An honorific sometimes placed after a man's name.
- A gentleman who attends or escorts a lady in public.
- A squire; a youth who in the hopes of becoming a knight attended upon a knight
- A shield-bearer, but also applied to other attendants.
- A bearing somewhat resembling a gyron, but extending across the field so that the point touches the opposite edge of the escutcheon.