Don't visit state flooded by river— awash with wood destroyed (4)
'don't visit' is the definition.
'stay' can be an answer for 'visit' (I've seen this in another clue). I'm unsure of the 'don't' bit.
'state flooded by river-awash with wood destroyed' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'river' could be 'tay' (Scottish river) and 'tay' is located in the answer.
A single letter 's' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for stay that I've seen before include "Put off - visit" , "Remain; prop" , "Remain; corset part" , "Stanchion" , "Supporting rod" .)
'don't visit' is the definition.
(to stay away from a place is to avoid visiting it)
'state flooded by river-awash with wood destroyed' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'state' could be 'stay' (stay is a kind of state) and 'stay' is located in the answer.
'by' could be 'away' (synonyms) and 'away' is found within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
(Other definitions for stay away that I've seen before include "Don't attend" , "Remain absent, don't come back" .)