Book has the ability to offend for a start -- might one blow one's top? (7)
I believe the answer is:
volcano
'a start might one blow one's top?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'book has the ability to offend' is the wordplay.
'book' becomes 'vol'.
'has the ability to' becomes 'can' (I've seen this before).
'offend' becomes 'o' (this could be a standard abbreviation which I don't know about).
'vol'+'can'+'o'='VOLCANO'
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for volcano that I've seen before include "Etna is one, and Stromboli" , "Eg, Eyjafjallajokull" , "Dangerous mountain like Stromboli or Etna" , "It emits lava" , "One expelling lava etc." .)