A cross and diamonds removed from clock face, indicating rotation? (5)
I believe the answer is:
axial
'a cross and diamonds removed from clock face indicating rotation?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'a cross and diamonds removed from clock face' is the wordplay.
'cross' becomes 'x' (X is cross-shaped).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'diamonds' becomes 'd' (abbreviation in card games).
'removed from' is a deletion indicator.
'clock face' becomes 'dial' (I've seen this in another clue).
'dial' with 'd' taken out is 'ial'.
'a'+'x'+'ial'='AXIAL'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for axial that I've seen before include "Of line about which rotation occurs" , "Forming a line of rotation" , "a couple of Poles?" , "Like a 22 Across" , "Central Line?" .)