The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word TALCUM
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
T
A
L
C
U
M
More clues leading to the result TALCUM
- Powder used in hospital
- Bath is not far from a source of this mineral
- Powder starts to act like codeine in belly
- Mineral corporation securing aluminium contract initially
- Powder in hospital cumulatively reduced
- Army left with powder no good for fighting!
- Mineral quarried from coastal Cumbria
- Powdery stuff in supplemental cumin
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Powder" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case powder = talcum.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 TALCUM mean?
TALCUM noun- Powdered and perfumed talc for toilet use.
- To perfume with talcum powder.