The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word PENITENT
P
E
N
I
T
E
N
T
More clues leading to the result PENITENT
- Contrite writer I provided with shelter
- Regretful writer, one given shelter
- Person seeking forgiveness in prison, one figure locked up
- Remorseful writer, I will need wine
- Awfully inept part of hospital feeling bad about things
- Repentant writer, one needing shelter
- Writer I shelter with regret
- Writer, with one temporary accommodation, is in a sorry state
- Returned prodigal is incarcerated about 1:10
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "is in a sorry state" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case is in a sorry state = penitent.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 PENITENT mean?
PENITENT noun- One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his or her transgressions.
- One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one undergoing penance.
- One under the direction of a confessor.
- Feeling pain or sorrow on account of one's sins or offenses; feeling sincere guilt.
- Doing penance.