Cryptic crossword clue
Wife putting out extra cotton wool 7

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

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The straight part
We know that "cotton wool" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case cotton wool = wadding.
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 WADDING mean?

WADDING noun
  1. Wads collectively
  2. Soft, fibrous cotton or wool used to make a wad, or as a packaging material
WADDING verb
  1. To crumple or crush into a compact, amorphous shape or ball.
  2. To wager.
  3. To insert or force a wad into.
  4. To stuff or line with some soft substance, or wadding, like cotton.

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