Makes home given time in monster's loch (5)
I believe the answer is:
nests
'makes home' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with fundamental existence as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'time in monster's loch' is the wordplay.
'time' becomes 'est' (EST is an example).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'monster's loch' becomes 'ns' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'est' placed within 'ns' is 'NESTS'.
'given' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for nests that I've seen before include "Structures for laying eggs" , "Eyries" , "Structures for egg-laying" , "Birds' homes" , "Settles comfortably into, as birds do" .)