Figure a new seat to be mainly of matchwood! (5)
I believe the answer is:
vesta
'figure a new seat' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'mainly of matchwood' is the wordplay.
'mainly of' means to remove the last letter (I've seen 'mainly' mean this).
'matchwood' becomes 'vestas'.
'vestas' with its final letter removed is 'VESTA'.
'to be' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for vesta that I've seen before include "heavenly body" , "Hearth goddess; a match" , "Asteroid; goddess; match" , "Stave (anag.)" , "Roman goddess; match" .)