Models in work a Cambridge university rejected (6)
I believe the answer is:
optima
'models' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.
'work a cambridge university rejected' is the wordplay.
'work' becomes 'op' (abbreviation for opus).
'cambridge university' becomes 'mit' (Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge).
'rejected' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'a'+'mit'='amit'
'amit' reversed gives 'tima'.
'op'+'tima'='OPTIMA'
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for optima that I've seen before include "Ideal conditions" , "Conditions producing the best possible results" , "Points at which conditions are most favourable" .)