The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word STYLUS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
S
T
Y
L
U
S
More clues leading to the result STYLUS
- English going out of fashion for American writer of history
- One going on record wants pen, mostly drunk
- One getting in the groove playing lusty lead in story
- Input device's phraseology almost American
- One plays records from America following brief trend
- Old writer’s approach fails to finish America
- Filthy place left by American for needle
- Record reader and writer
- Fashions universal rather than English for one in the groove?
- 18 represented in pen by Latin American
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Record reader/writer" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case record reader/writer = stylus.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 STYLUS mean?
STYLUS noun- Senses relating to a thin, pointed object.
- (by extension from sense 1.1) A particular manner of expression in writing or speech, especially one regarded as good.
- A particular manner of creating, doing, or presenting something, especially a work of architecture or art.
- A sharp stick used in ancient times for writing on clay tablets or other surfaces; a sharp tool for engraving.
- A tool for making small dots on a piece of heavy paper, used to produce Braille writing for the blind by hand.
- A phonograph needle.
- A small plastic stick used as a pen for writing on the touch-sensitive screen of an electronic device.