Less shale displayed in coastal homes? (9)
I believe the answer is:
seashells
'coastal homes?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
'less shale displayed' is the wordplay.
'displayed' indicates anagramming the letters (letters displayed in another way).
'less'+'shale'='lessshale'
'lessshale' is an anagram of 'SEASHELLS'.
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for seashells that I've seen before include "Protective homes for salt water molluscs" , "Coverings of marine organisms" , "''She sells ... on the seashore'' (tongue-twister)" , "Hard outer coverings of salt water molluscs" , "She might sell them on the seashore" .)