The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word NEGLECT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
N
E
G
L
E
C
T
More clues leading to the result NEGLECT
- Gentle custom involving constant oversight
- Uncared-for state’s new elite around top of government
- Forget information about the Parisian court
- Overlook large general being upset: shocking treatment!
- Manuel’s the dope up before court for lack of care
- Choose to adopt girl after partner’s lack of care
- Regularly inveigh against the French court’s indifference
- Overlook man’s right leg broken by shocking treatment
- Name chosen to encapsulate gerbil’s initial lack of attention
- Disregard information about the French court
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Uncared-for state" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case uncared-for state = neglect.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 NEGLECT mean?
NEGLECT noun- The act of neglecting.
- The state of being neglected.
- Habitual lack of care.
- To fail to care for or attend to something.
- To omit to notice; to forbear to treat with attention or respect; to slight.
- To fail to do or carry out something due to oversight or carelessness.