Lack of top cover in Apia? Cole confused! (8)
I believe the answer is:
alopecia
'lack of top cover' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both states of affairs as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'apia? cole confused' is the wordplay.
'confused' indicates an anagram.
'apia'+'cole'='apiacole'
'apiacole' anagrammed gives 'ALOPECIA'.
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for alopecia that I've seen before include "Condition causing loss of hair" , "Shock loss" , "can be distressing!" , "Condition that causes loss of hair" , "distressed state" .)