The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word ALIMONY
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
L
I
M
O
N
Y
More clues leading to the result ALIMONY
- What can be stretched to cut some maintenance
- Oil many misused in maintenance
- Rolls Royce punctured – some support from spouse needed
- Boxer gets cash, we hear? It’s a financial settlement
- It may have to be paid after a union dispute is settled
- Support allowance from Area 51 funds, hiding first of extraterrestrials
- Pay-off from union demerger
- What is paid for maintenance of luxury car in a large city
- Maintenance of any limo could be difficult
- Fancy car impounded, any payment to be made?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "maintenance" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case maintenance = alimony.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 ALIMONY mean?
ALIMONY noun- A court-mandated allowance made to a former spouse by a divorced or legally separated person.
- The means to support life.