Abrupt measure to stop commencement of operations in open space (9)
I believe the answer is:
courtyard
'stop commencement of operations in open space' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'abrupt measure' is the wordplay.
'abrupt' becomes 'court' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'measure' becomes 'yard' (yard is a kind of measure).
'court'+'yard'='COURTYARD'
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for courtyard that I've seen before include "Area surrounded by walls or buildings" , "Dry out car in space enclosed by buildings" , "enclosed area" , "Enclosure open to the sky attached to a house" , "Open-air enclosure attached to a house" .)