Cryptic crossword clue
Vessel everyone backed to cut piracy at sea 9

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word CAPILLARY

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
C
A
P
I
L
L
A
R
Y

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Vessel" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case vessel = capillary.
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 CAPILLARY mean?

CAPILLARY noun
  1. A narrow tube.
  2. Any of the small blood vessels that connect arteries to veins.
CAPILLARY adjective
  1. Of or pertaining to hair.
  2. Pertaining to a narrow tube.
  3. Of, relating to, or caused by surface tension.

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