Is ready having shaved in advance (8)
I believe the answer is:
prepared
'is ready' is the definition.
(associated in meaning)
'shaved in advance' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'shaved' could be 'pared' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'pared' is located in the answer.
'in advance' could be 'pre' (prefix meaning 'before') and 'pre' is located in the answer.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'having' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for prepared that I've seen before include "Ready for action" , "Made or got ready" , "edited" , "Waiting" , "All set" .)