Cryptic crossword clue
Well-fed earl leaves lodgings and works out 7

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word FATHOMS

I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
F
A
T
H
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More clues leading to the result FATHOMS

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "works out" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case works out = fathoms.
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 FATHOMS mean?

FATHOMS noun
  1. Grasp, envelopment, control.
  2. (now usually nautical) An English unit of length for water depth notionally based upon the width of grown man's outstretched arms but standardized as 6 feet (about 1.8 m).
  3. Various similar units in other systems.
  4. Depth of insight, mental reach or scope.
FATHOMS verb
  1. To encircle with outstretched arms, especially to take a measurement; to embrace.
  2. To measure the depth of, take a sounding of.
  3. To get to the bottom of; to manage to comprehend; understand (a problem etc.).

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