Sad state (6)
I believe the answer is:
sorrow
'sad state' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for sorrow that I've seen before include "Deep sadness" , "Sadness, feeling of regret" , "Shakespeare: ''Parting is such sweet . . . . . .'' (6)" , "Deep distress" , "'Distress, sadness (6)'" .)