The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word DISEASE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
D
I
S
E
A
S
E
More clues leading to the result DISEASE
- Perish swallowing salt water with sulphur, a possible cause of death
- Nearly set aside dodgy complaint
- What could be seaside illness
- Bad condition of seaside deplorable
- Illness in facility headed by detectives
- Short of time, set aside criminal complaint
- Vicious punk rocker returned to get rest for illness
- Medical problem for seaside resort
- A seed is treated for blight
- Fresh ideas on case of sample in scrapie for example
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "cause of sickness" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case cause of sickness = disease.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 DISEASE mean?
DISEASE noun- An abnormal condition of a human, animal or plant that causes discomfort or dysfunction; distinct from injury insofar as the latter is usually instantaneously acquired.
- (by extension) Any abnormal or harmful condition, as of society, people's attitudes, way of living etc.
- Lack of ease; uneasiness; trouble; vexation; disquiet.
- To cause unease; to annoy, irritate.
- To infect with a disease.