The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word LIGATURE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
L
I
G
A
T
U
R
E
More clues leading to the result LIGATURE
- Useless guitar in extremely lame band
- Two characters as one showing unusual art and guile
- One with gun interrupts seduction of Bond
- Troll acquires first-person shooter link
- Four-fifths of regulation twisted cord
- Bandage for first person seen with gun in draw
- Appeal claiming silver upheld, settling draw or tie
- Section of literature replaced by one letter that links two of them
- Gaultier redesigned tie
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "band" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case band = ligature.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 LIGATURE mean?
LIGATURE noun- The act of tying or binding something.
- A cord or similar thing used to tie something; especially the thread used in surgery to close a vessel or duct.
- A thread or wire used to remove tumours, etc.
- The state of being bound or stiffened; stiffness.
- A character that visually combines multiple letters, such as æ, œ, ß or ij; also logotype. Sometimes called a typographic ligature.
- A group of notes played as a phrase, or the curved line that indicates such a phrase.
- A curve or line connecting notes; a slur.
- A piece used to hold a reed to the mouthpiece on woodwind instruments.
- Impotence caused by magic or charms.
- To ligate; to tie.