The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word MANIFOLD
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
M
A
N
I
F
O
L
D
More clues leading to the result MANIFOLD
- Worker provided with stock of various kinds
- Multi-functional staff, though past their best?
- Crew provided obsolete engine part, for example
- Chap providing antique engine component
- Diverse staff in firm initially getting on
- Chap with one pen having many features
- Various staff providing cover for aged
- Engine fitting bloke covers if worn out
- Servant, though elderly, performing multiple tasks
- Staff I gather will be many
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Various" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case various = manifold.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 MANIFOLD mean?
MANIFOLD noun- A copy made by the manifold writing process.
- A pipe fitting or similar device that connects multiple inputs or outputs.
- (chiefly in the plural) The third stomach of a ruminant animal, an omasum.
- A topological space that looks locally like the "ordinary" Euclidean space \mathbb{R}^n and is Hausdorff.
- A polygon mesh representing the continuous, closed surface of a solid object
- Various in kind or quality; diverse.
- Many in number, numerous; multiple, multiplied.
- Complicated.
- Exhibited at diverse times or in various ways.
- Many times; repeatedly.
- To make manifold; multiply.
- To multiply or reproduce impressions of by a single operation.