Barrister — second class? (4)
I believe the answer is:
silk
'barrister' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'second class?' is the wordplay.
'second' becomes 's' (common abbreviation).
'class?' becomes 'ilk' (both can mean a type or variety).
's'+'ilk'='SILK'
(Other definitions for silk that I've seen before include "Smooth material" , "Fabric obtained from the cocoon of a worm" , "Fabric from a worm's cocoon" , "Fibre produced by worms" , "Ancient double-oared ship could be mire" .)