The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word DELVE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
D
E
L
V
E
More clues leading to the result DELVE
- Investigate key vote, centre having fallen away
- Research key WWII triumph
- 55 in river search
- Search for girl clutching meal ticket
- Poke date
- Go rummaging with some wood elves
- The King is missing in Delaware? Do some digging!
- The King is lost in middle of Philadelphia, requiring search
- . . . . search for Dutch girl around lake
- Search deeply, regularly, even essentially
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Research" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case research = delve.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 DELVE mean?
DELVE verb- To dig the ground, especially with a shovel.
- To search thoroughly and carefully for information, research, dig into, penetrate, fathom, trace out
- To dig, to excavate.
- A pit or den.