The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word SPINSTER
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
S
P
I
N
S
T
E
R
More clues leading to the result SPINSTER
- Second son entertained by playwright who is not married?
- Single old woman endlessly frowning about legs
- Lone woman threatening to seize power once one's gone
- Society dramatist welcoming second unmarried woman
- Tabby cat, legs going in rear mostly
- Society playwright clothes son for single woman
- Southern playwright embracing actress, finally – she’s unattached
- Old maid almost strict covering legs
- Non-union lady?
- Single person‘s back shortly after outing in car
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "who is not married" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case who is not married = spinster.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 SPINSTER mean?
SPINSTER noun- (sometimes derogatory) A woman who has never been married, especially one past the typical marrying age according to social traditions.
- One who spins (puts a spin on) a political media story so as to give something a favorable or advantageous appearance; a spin doctor, spin merchant or spin master.
- Someone whose occupation was spinning thread.
- A woman of evil life and character; so called from being forced to spin in a house of correction.
- A spider; an insect (such as a silkworm) which spins thread.