The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word CAPSTAN
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
C
A
P
S
T
A
N
More clues leading to the result CAPSTAN
- Dispatching one, skipper will receive special help for handling cables
- One used to wind and sunburn after eclipses
- Rotating machine showing effect of sun after eclipses
- Rope winder needs big characters to turn under the sun
- Turner puts lid on brown
- Recorder’s winding mechanism can hold different tapes with no end of storage
- Turner eclipses Brown
- Device for winding pasta twists into drained corn
- Skipper goes round southern island missing bit of ship’s apparatus
- Accountant pants moving windlass
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Rotating machine" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case rotating machine = capstan.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 CAPSTAN mean?
CAPSTAN noun- A vertical cylindrical machine that revolves on a spindle, used to apply force to ropes, cables, etc. It is typically surmounted by a drumhead with sockets for levers used to turn it.
- A rotating spindle used to move recording tape through the mechanism of a tape recorder.