Crossword Genius

Message lab about a number of things (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

assemblage

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a number of things' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'message lab about' is the wordplay.
'about' indicates an anagram.
'message'+'lab'='messagelab'
'messagelab' is an anagram of 'ASSEMBLAGE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for assemblage that I've seen before include "congregation" , "collection is made" , "Group" , "Collection, gathering" , "Collection (of things or people)" .)

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