The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word SOUTHERN
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Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "below the equator" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case below the equator = southern.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 SOUTHERN mean?
SOUTHERN noun- Someone from one of the states which seceded in 1861 and briefly formed the Confederate States of America, or, more broadly, from some neighboring states as well (but excluding geographically-southerly states like Arizona); compare the South.
- Of, facing, situated in, or related to the south.
- Of or pertaining to a southern region, especially Southern Europe or the southern United States.
- Of a wind: blowing from the south; southerly.
- A native or inhabitant of the south of a region (or of the world as a whole), such as the United Kingdom.