Firm management may assist in house construction (9)
I believe the answer is:
hardboard
'assist in house construction' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.
'firm management' is the wordplay.
'firm' becomes 'hard' (both can mean durable or strong).
'management' becomes 'board' (eg the board managing a business).
'hard'+'board'='HARDBOARD'
'may' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hardboard that I've seen before include "DIY material" , "Stuff for backing" , "Building material" , "Stiff sheet(s) of compressed wood pulp etc" , "Sheet made from compressed sawdust and resin" .)