The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word UNTWINE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
U
N
T
W
I
N
E
More clues leading to the result UNTWINE
- Separate strands of investigation commonly acquire point
- Separate organisation has duplicate key
- Disentangle new unit snarled up
- Count winemaker’s bottles spread out
- University books on drink, free
- Free drink after one drops one!
- Straighten out nut that’s drunk alcoholic drink
- Old woman heading out to drink and unwind
- Straighten out nut splashing alcoholic drink
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Separate strands" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case separate strands = untwine.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 UNTWINE mean?
UNTWINE verb- To untwist the strands of (something entwined).
- To free (one thing that is entwined with another), disentangle, extricate.
- To become untwisted or disentangled.