The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word ABSTINENT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
A
B
S
T
I
N
E
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T
More clues leading to the result ABSTINENT
- Self-denying sailors can finally purchase books
- A key southern landmass with no disadvantage, being temperate
- Saint bent out of shape and not having it?
- Restrained muscles can experience nasty tension initially
- Metal splits away on the wagon?
- Having gone without can?
- Avoiding alcohol, having gone without can
- Away, drinking can, not overindulging
- Sober sailors can repair net
- Not taking drink out — can found inside
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "keeping off the rum" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case keeping off the rum = abstinent.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 ABSTINENT mean?
ABSTINENT adjective- Refraining from indulgence, especially from the indulgence of appetite.
- One who abstains; a faster.
- (usually capitalized) One of a sect who appeared in France and Spain in the 3rd century, and believed in abstinence towards meat and sex.