One expects the artist to hold the boat? (7)
I believe the answer is:
painter
'one' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for painter that I've seen before include "Eg, Constable" , "Shipping line" , "craft tied up with this" , "Line attached to the bow of a boat when tying up" , "Artist - rope for boat" .)