Crossword Genius

Boring makers of laws (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

awls

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'boring makers' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'of laws' is the wordplay.
'of' indicates an anagram (the answer comes from or 'of' the letters).
'laws' with letters rearranged gives 'AWLS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for awls that I've seen before include "Small piercing tools" , "Laws about boring tools (4)" , "Tools for punching small holes" , "Pointed hand-tools" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail and The Guardian.
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