Nameless colleague really missing helper to make beds (8)
![Ross](/clue/static/ross-mug.min.png)
I believe the answer is:
parterre
'make beds' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.
'nameless colleague really missing helper' is the wordplay.
'nameless colleague' becomes 'parter' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'missing' suggests deleting specific letters.
'helper' becomes 'ally' (I've seen this in another clue).
'really' with 'ally' taken out is 're'.
'parter'+'re'='PARTERRE'
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for parterre that I've seen before include "level ground" , "The pit or bottom floor of a theatre" , "Seating on the main floor of a theatre" , "Theatre seating area on the ground floor" , "Formally patterned flower garden" .)