Cliques, as in Barsetshire (4)
I believe the answer is:
sets
'cliques' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'in barsetshire' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates a hidden word.
'SETS' can be found hidden inside 'barsetshire'.
'as' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for sets that I've seen before include "Groups of things of the same kind" , "Major divisions of tennis match" , "Scenery etc. of 11 across productions" , "Places" , "Plants" .)