The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word PORRINGER
P
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Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Small dish" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case small dish = porringer.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 PORRINGER mean?
PORRINGER noun- A small cup or bowl, usually with a handle, commonly used for porridge.
- A headdress shaped like such a dish.