A large island so far about to become refuge (7)
I believe the answer is:
alsatia
'refuge' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both locations as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'a large island so far about' is the wordplay.
'large' becomes 'L' (eg in clothes sizes).
'island' becomes 'ait' (term for a small island).
'so far' becomes 'as' (I've seen this in other clues).
'about' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'ait'+'as'='aitas'
'aitas' back-to-front is 'satia'.
'a'+'l'+'satia'='ALSATIA'
'to become' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for alsatia that I've seen before include "area around Whitefriars, once" , "place of refuge" , "One-time refuge for criminals" , "London sanctuary once" , "and German shepherds?" .)