The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word MONKS
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
M
O
N
K
S
More clues leading to the result MONKS
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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.
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What does MONKS mean?
MONKS noun- A male member of a monastic order who has devoted his life for religious service.
- In earlier usage, an eremite or hermit devoted to solitude, as opposed to a cenobite, who lived communally.
- A male who leads an isolated life; a loner, a hermit.
- An unmarried man who does not have sexual relationships.
- A judge.
- A blotch or spot of ink on a printed page, caused by the ink not being properly distributed; distinguished from a friar, or white spot caused by a deficiency of ink.
- A piece of tinder made of agaric, used in firing the powder hose or train of a mine.
- A South American monkey (Pithecia monachus); also applied to other species, as Cebus xanthosternos.
- The bullfinch, common bullfinch, European bullfinch, or Eurasian bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula).
- The monkfish.
- A fuse for firing mines.
- To be a monk.
- To act like a monk; especially to be contemplative.
- To monkey or meddle; to behave in a manner that is not systematic.
- To be intoxicated or confused.
- To be attached in a way that sticks out.
- A monkey.