Cave where empty gear is found by German chap (6)
I believe the answer is:
grotto
'cave' is the definition.
(I know that cave can be written as grotto)
'empty gear is found by german chap' is the wordplay.
'empty' suggests removing the centre.
'is found by' says to put letters next to each other.
'german chap' becomes 'otto' (I am not sure about the 'german' bit.).
'gear' with its centre taken out is 'gr'.
'gr'+'otto'='GROTTO'
'where' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for grotto that I've seen before include "In company (with); over length of" , "It's left on Dec 24 by Santa and his reindeer" , "Cavern" , "Small cave, perhaps with religious connotations" , "Small picturesque cave" .)