Examine permits for slots (7)
I believe the answer is:
eyelets
'slots' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'examine permits' is the wordplay.
'examine' becomes 'eye' (I've seen this in another clue).
'permits' becomes 'lets' ('let' can be a synonym of 'permit').
'eye'+'lets'='EYELETS'
'for' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eyelets that I've seen before include "Small holes" , "peep-holes" , "Rings for reinforcement" .)