Expresses preference for five ring set-up? (5)
I believe the answer is:
votes
'expresses preference' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I don't see how one could define the other.
'five ring set-up?' is the wordplay.
'five' becomes 'V' (Roman numeral).
'ring' becomes 'O' (letter resembling a ring).
'up?' is a reversal indicator (I've seen 'upped' mean this (in down clue, made to go up)).
'set' written backwards gives 'tes'.
'v'+'o'+'tes'='VOTES'
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for votes that I've seen before include "Ballots" , "Casts ballot" , "these should get cast" , "often indicated by hands" , "Proposes" .)