Cryptic crossword clue
This writer with acidity — it is something with a nasty smell 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word MEPHITIS

I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "something with a nasty smell" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case something with a nasty smell = mephitis.
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 MEPHITIS mean?

MEPHITIS noun
  1. A poisonous or foul-smelling gas, especially as emitted from the earth; an unpleasant smell.
  2. A dilution of fluids derived from skunks or polecats.

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