Is there many a dunce in one? (5)
I believe the answer is:
class
'one?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.
'is there many a dunce in' is the wordplay.
'is there' becomes 'l' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'many' becomes 'c' (C is the Roman numeral for l00).
'a dunce' becomes 'ass' (I've seen this in another clue).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'c'+'ass'='cass'
'l' inserted into 'cass' is 'CLASS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for class that I've seen before include "Excellent" , "Taste or style" , "Genre" , "Kind" , "High quality" .)