Band assembled in enclosure in readiness (7)
I believe the answer is:
standby
'readiness' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.
'band assembled in enclosure' is the wordplay.
'assembled' indicates anagramming the letters.
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'enclosure' becomes 'sty' (sty is a kind of enclosure).
'band' anagrammed gives 'andb'.
'andb' going within 'sty' is 'STANDBY'.
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for standby that I've seen before include "reserve" , "Item or person ready for use in emergency" .)