The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word COWARD
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
C
O
W
A
R
D
More clues leading to the result COWARD
- No victory, with commander in retreat as timid type
- Eccentric hugs that hurt wimp
- Playwright grovelled, we’re told
- Stiff paper boxes that hurt chicken
- Playwright Jack maybe falls in love with? Just the opposite
- Firm sketch put up for Jessie and company care
- Retired doctor eating uncooked chicken
- Yellow fish gobbled up, uncooked
- Set up raffle for old cold chicken
- Fish stuffed with raw minced chicken
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "chicken" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case chicken = coward.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 COWARD mean?
COWARD noun- A person who lacks courage.
- To intimidate.
- Cowardly.
- (of a lion) Borne in the escutcheon with his tail doubled between his legs.