Cryptic crossword clue
Tweet about queen crossing swords 8

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

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
S
P
A
R
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G

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "crossing swords" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case crossing swords = sparring.
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 SPARRING mean?

SPARRING verb
  1. To bolt, bar.
  2. To supply or equip (a vessel) with spars.
SPARRING verb
  1. To fight, especially as practice for martial arts or hand-to-hand combat.
  2. To strike with the feet or spurs, as cocks do.
  3. To contest in words; to wrangle.
SPARRING noun
  1. The act of one who spars.

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