The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word SPROCKET
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
S
P
R
O
C
K
E
T
More clues leading to the result SPROCKET
- Small stone lodged in baby tooth
- Small pot preserving queen's tooth
- Something like gear expert removed from space missile
- Gear to go very fast after 60 per cent reduction of speed
- Mechanical widget? Pair fitting into hollow
- Wheel, let me add, turning on missile
- Eye holder welcomes publicity – “It’s got teeth”
- Note ascending space vehicle — there’s a rotating mechanism
- Small pressure against early locomotive wheel
- Son quietly leaves tooth
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "tooth" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case tooth = sprocket.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 SPROCKET mean?
SPROCKET noun- A toothed wheel that enmeshes with a chain or other perforated band.
- (usually in the plural) The tooth of such a wheel.
- A flared extension at the base of a sloped roof.
- A placeholder name for an unnamed, unspecified, or hypothetical manufactured good or product.