Like some old crocks, fear the new to an extent (7)
I believe the answer is:
earthen
'like some old' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are adjectives, I don't understand how one could define the other.
'crocks fear the new to an extent' is the wordplay.
'to an extent' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'EARTHEN' is hidden in the letters of 'crocks fear the new'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for earthen that I've seen before include "Like many pots" , "(Of a pot) made of fired clay" , "that's thrown in clay" , "Made of baked or fired clay" , "(Of pot) made of baked clay" .)