In shop an elegant beam (5)
I believe the answer is:
panel
'beam' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'in shop an elegant' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'PANEL' can be found hidden inside 'shop an elegant'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for panel that I've seen before include "Piece of wood" , "regularly beaten by bodywork experts?" , "Group of judges" , "Group selected to judge a competition" , "Committee to judge a competition or list from which to appoint someone" .)