American casing deserted shire takes horse? (4)
I believe the answer is:
uses
'takes horse?' is the definition.
'uses' can be an answer for 'takes' (I've seen this before). I am not certain of the 'horse?' bit.
'american casing deserted shire' is the wordplay.
'american' becomes 'US' (United States).
'casing' indicates putting letters inside (I've seen this in other clues).
'deserted' suggests removing the centre (middle letters must vacate or desert the word).
'shire' with its centre taken out is 'se'.
'us' going around 'se' is 'USES'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for uses that I've seen before include "Functions, applications" , "'Purposes, functions (4)'" , "deployments" , "Exercises" , "Takes (drugs)" .)
