The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word SHRIVEL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
S
H
R
I
V
E
L
More clues leading to the result SHRIVEL
- After silence, hands round the writer's contract
- Personnel one has included in Solicitor at Law’s contract
- Mum’s cooked liver is to dry up
- Contract split finds mum left on the outside
- Outside hospital, treated livers dry up and shrink
- Silence on competitor losing area for energy contract
- Something priests do, given line in contract
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "contract" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case contract = shrivel.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 SHRIVEL mean?
SHRIVEL verb- To collapse inward; to crumble.
- To become wrinkled.
- To draw into wrinkles.