The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word BECAME
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
B
E
C
A
M
E
More clues leading to the result BECAME
- Suited worker crossing river
- Was appointed bishop by reactionary church? Answer me!
- Got cold in shaft, bottom of mine
- Developed into flying insect around river
- Waxed device held by busy person
- Developed into hard worker outside academic stream
- Got worker to pinch security device
- Turned into insect employing charms regularly!
- Turned into bird’s bill target, reportedly
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Was appointed" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case was appointed = became.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 BECAME mean?
BECAME verb- To arrive, come (to a place).
- To come about; happen; come into being; arise.
- Begin to be; turn into.
- To be proper for; to beseem.
- Of an adornment, piece of clothing etc.: to look attractive on (someone).