The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word HICKEYS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
H
I
C
K
E
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S
Buddy explains!
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 HICKEYS mean?
HICKEYS noun- A bruise-like mark made during petting by pressing the mouth to the skin on one’s partner’s body and sucking.
- An object whose name is unknown or cannot be recalled.
- A printing defect caused by foreign matter on the printing surface resulting in a ring where the ink is missing, appearing as a spot of ink surrounded by a halo, or as an unprinted spot within a solid printed area.
- A serif or other ornamentation on type.
- Local swelling in a tissue area, especially skin, often due to injury.
- A tool for making smooth, semicircular bends in conduit and pipe.
- An unintended negative outcome or loss in regards to a deal or action, often preceded by the words "taking a ..." or "took a ... ".