Archdeacon always displaying specious refinement (6)
I believe the answer is:
veneer
'specious refinement' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.
'archdeacon always' is the wordplay.
'archdeacon' becomes 'ven'.
'always' becomes 'eer' (poetic way of saying ever).
'ven'+'eer'='VENEER'
'displaying' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for veneer that I've seen before include "Misleading external appearance" , "Thin wooden surface" , "Finish" , "False front" , "A thin outer layer" .)