The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word VIOL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
V
I
O
L
More clues leading to the result VIOL
- Sextet look round for something from the past to play
- Awful-sounding instrument
- One was bowed, showing only half of injury
- Instrument that has an appalling sound
- Instrument that has appalling sound
- Six look back on a big fiddle
- One of the old strings taken from a cello I’ve picked up
- 15 Instrument to primarily view moon at the start of lunar eclipse
- Instrument to measure oil composition
- Musical instrument made by six old characters after losing a string
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "something from the past to play" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case something from the past to play = viol.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 VIOL mean?
VIOL noun- A stringed instrument related to the violin family, but held in the lap between the legs like a cello, usually with C-holes, a flat back, a fretted neck and six strings, played with an underhanded bow hold.
- To play the viol.