Answer sailor for this way of washing (8)
I believe the answer is:
ablution
'washing' is the definition.
(ablution is a kind of washing)
'answer sailor for this way of' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'answer' could be 'a' (abbreviation eg in Q and A) and 'a' is found within the answer.
'way' could be 'n' (Compass direction - North) and 'n' is found in the answer.
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is found within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ablution that I've seen before include "Toilet facility" , "About nil (anag.)" , "Ceremonial washing of hands" , "Ritual washing in church" , "Washing process" .)