Male fish that was used in laundry (6)
I believe the answer is:
mangle
'used in laundry' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'male fish' is the wordplay.
'male' becomes 'm' (common abbreviation).
'fish' becomes 'angle' (angle can mean to fish).
'm'+'angle'='MANGLE'
'that was' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mangle that I've seen before include "Squeeze" , "Old device for wringing clothes" , "Mutilate - clothes wringer" , "Squelchy washing squasher" , "Tear up" .)