The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word GENERAL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
G
E
N
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R
A
L
More clues leading to the result GENERAL
- Widespread and rank
- Young lady hugs retreating Frenchman — typical!
- Common groups of species initially leaving
- Enlarge woven blanket
- No particular army commander
- Military leader, age fifty, on first book
- Friendly Queen knocking one out as usual
- Agent Gerald stripped of military rank
- Common anagram of two other solutions
- Rank of Lee and Grant not entirely surprising?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Widespread/rank" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case widespread/rank = general.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 GENERAL mean?
GENERAL noun- A general fact or proposition; a generality.
- The holder of a senior military title, originally designating the commander of an army and now a specific rank falling under field marshal (in the British army) and below general of the army or general of the air force in the US army and air forces.
- A great strategist or tactician.
- The head of certain religious orders, especially Dominicans or Jesuits.
- A commander of naval forces; an admiral.
- A general servant; a maid with no specific duties.
- A general anesthetic.
- General anesthesia.
- The general insurance industry.
- To lead (soldiers) as a general.
- Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole etc.; as opposed to specific or particular.
- (sometimes postpositive) Applied to a person (as a postmodifier or a normal preceding adjective) to indicate supreme rank, in civil or military titles, and later in other terms; pre-eminent.
- Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.
- Not limited in use or application; applicable to the whole or every member of a class or category.
- Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite.
- Not limited to a specific class; miscellaneous, concerned with all branches of a given subject or area.
- In a general or collective manner or sense; in most cases; upon the whole.