The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word SCAVENGE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
S
C
A
V
E
N
G
E
More clues leading to the result SCAVENGE
- Second enclosure protects very small space for root
- Search of Southern grotto initially not good enough
- Shilling and cents repay search through rubbish
- Forage in underground chamber cutting tin and germanium
- No stomach for chase, vegans sabotaged hunt
- Collect items others consider useless
- Scottish leaders retaliate and clean up the streets
- Search small grotto and say name echoing
- Look for a scrap, namely to get one’s own back
- Retaliate after two characters leading scatter grub around
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "root" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case root = scavenge.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 SCAVENGE mean?
SCAVENGE verb- To collect and remove refuse, or to search through refuse, carrion, or abandoned items for useful material
- To remove unwanted material from something, especially to purify molten metal by removing impurities
- To expel the exhaust gases from the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, and draw in air for the next cycle
- To feed on carrion or refuse