Damaged a key part in the cargo compartment (5)
I believe the answer is:
holed
'damaged' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I can't understand how one could define the other.
'a key part in the cargo compartment' is the wordplay.
'a key' becomes 'E' (musical key).
'part in' is an insertion indicator (inserted letters form part of the word).
'the cargo compartment' becomes 'hold' (I've seen this in another clue).
'e' put inside 'hold' is 'HOLED'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for holed that I've seen before include "Pierced side" , "Potted (ball)" , "after being hit by torpedo" , "Perforated" , "Likely to sink" .)