The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word PARADIGM
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
P
A
R
A
D
I
G
M
More clues leading to the result PARADIGM
- Model soldier like millions
- Model soldier, like leader of militia?
- Projector’s original diagram generates template
- Prototype map with a grid redesigned
- Model soldier dropped cutting remark, maladroit originally
- Model male after marching with no end of gumption
- Model soldier, like leader of mission
- Example is made of soldier — understand thousand supporting that
- Soldier like Montgomery principally as example
- Showing off, scrapping knight with maiden and model
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Prototype" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case prototype = paradigm.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 PARADIGM mean?
PARADIGM noun- A pattern, a way of doing something, especially a pattern of thought, a system of beliefs, a conceptual framework.
- An example serving as the model for such a pattern.
- A set of all forms which contain a common element, especially the set of all inflectional forms of a word or a particular grammatical category.