Enter a clue or pattern or both:
The Clue
Secure position (8 letter answer)
The Answer
FOOTHOLD
Tags
Notes
The answer FOOTHOLD is so rare that it appears less than once every 2500 puzzles.
Definition
FOOTHOLD as a noun:
1. (bridgehead, foothold) = an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies; "an attempt to secure a bridgehead behind enemy lines"; "the only foothold left for British troops in Europe was Gibraltar"
2. (foothold, footing) = a place providing support for the foot in standing or climbing
3. (beachhead, foothold) = an initial accomplishment that opens the way for further developments; "the town became a beachhead in the campaign to ban smoking outdoors"; "they are presently attempting to gain a foothold in the Russian market"