Cryptic crossword clue
Refresher on origins of this exotic crockery, like some plates 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word TECTONIC

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
T
E
C
T
O
N
I
C

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "like some plates" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case like some plates = tectonic.
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 TECTONIC mean?

TECTONIC adjective
  1. Of or relating to construction or to architecture
  2. Structural
  3. Of, relating to, or caused by large-scale movements of the Earth's lithosphere
  4. Momentous, utter, vast

Latest crossword clues with full explanations