The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word MONASTIC
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
M
O
N
A
S
T
I
C
More clues leading to the result MONASTIC
- Like religious person stoic man converted
- Minister starting heretical actions in cloisters
- Solitary confinement starts after day on wine
- Way to work cast in plays following order
- Like a man kept in order
- Reclusive staff keeping working on reserve, mostly
- My French wine, cold according to order?
- Mother's keeping on repetitive movement of brothers
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Solitary" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case solitary = monastic.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 MONASTIC mean?
MONASTIC noun- A person with monastic ways; a monk.
- Of or relating to monasteries or monks.