The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word PARAMOUR
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
P
A
R
A
M
O
U
R
More clues leading to the result PARAMOUR
- Short lament by soldier’s lover
- Soldier with lament missing last lover
- Gush about a male lover
- Soldier has written understanding to meet royal mistress
- Lover gives a stuff about rain? On the contrary
- A standard love affair for a courtesan
- Lover makes soldier lament no end
- Tip about a pound for fancy man
- Terrible uproar involving a male lover
- A drive in rain for lover
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "mistress" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case mistress = paramour.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 PARAMOUR mean?
PARAMOUR noun- (somewhat obsolete) An illicit lover, either male or female.
- The Virgin Mary or Jesus Christ (when addressed by a person of the opposite sex).
- (of loving, etc.) Passionately, out of sexual desire.