The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word VERTICAL
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
V
E
R
T
I
C
A
L
More clues leading to the result VERTICAL
- Direction of take-off in this plane
- . Vicar let in new order bound for heaven?
- Upright vicar’s first article getting rewritten
- Standing up against erroneous article
- Meat-carrying lorry losing roof
- Vicar let slip what this answer is?
- Not laid down by Article V, possibly
- Article must be rewritten by five, straight up!
- Active moves covering right and left upright
- Risky travel across a cliff’s face that's steep
Buddy explains!

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 VERTICAL mean?
VERTICAL noun- A vertex or zenith.
- A vertical geometrical figure; a perpendicular.
- An individual slat in a set of vertical blinds.
- A vertical component of a structure.
- A vertical market.
- Standing, pointing, or moving straight up or down; along the direction of a plumb line; perpendicular to something horizontal.
- In a two-dimensional Cartesian co-ordinate system, describing the axis y oriented normal (perpendicular, at right angles) to the horizontal axis x.
- In a three-dimensional co-ordinate system, describing the axis z oriented normal (perpendicular, orthogonal) to the basic plane xy.
- Of or pertaining to vertical markets.
- (wine tasting) Involving different vintages of the same wine type from the same winery.
- Of an interval: having the two notes sound simultaneously.