The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word NIPPER
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
N
I
P
P
E
R
More clues leading to the result NIPPER
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Small child" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case small child = nipper.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 NIPPER mean?
NIPPER noun- One who, or that which, nips.
- (usually in the plural) Any of various devices (as pincers) for nipping.
- A child.
- A child aged from 5 to 13 in the Australian surf life-saving clubs.
- A boy working as a navvies' assistant.
- A mosquito.
- One of four foreteeth in a horse.
- A satirist.
- A pickpocket; a young or petty thief.
- A fish, the cunner.
- A European crab (Polybius henslowii).
- The claws of a crab or lobster.
- A young bluefish.
- A machine used by a ticket inspector to stamp passengers' tickets.
- One of a pair of automatically locking handcuffs.
- To seize (two ropes) together.