One down in feeble defensive construction (8)
I believe the answer is:
palisade
'defensive construction' is the definition.
'palisade' can be an answer for 'construction' (palisade is a kind of construction). I am unsure of the 'defensive' bit.
'one down in feeble' is the wordplay.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'down' becomes 'sad' (I've seen this before).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'feeble' becomes 'pale' (I've seen this in another clue).
'i'+'sad'='isad'
'isad' inserted inside 'pale' is 'PALISADE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for palisade that I've seen before include "fencing" , "Fence consisting of stakes" , "Fence of stakes or iron railings" , "Enclosure of stakes" , "Tall defensive fence" .)