Key part of a holiday at sea? (8)
I believe the answer is:
mainstay
'key part' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'holiday at sea?' is the wordplay.
'holiday' becomes 'stay' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'at' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'sea?' becomes 'main' (synonyms).
'stay' put after 'main' is 'MAINSTAY'.
'of a' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mainstay that I've seen before include "Chief source of support" , "Rope to the mast is the chief support" , "Piece of rigging" , "Linchpin, principle support" , "Bulwark" .)