Play-acting in gym over centre spread? (8)
I believe the answer is:
pretence
'play-acting in' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.
'gym over centre spread?' is the wordplay.
'gym' becomes 'pe'.
'over' indicates putting letters inside.
'spread?' is an anagram indicator (I've seen 'spreading of' mean this).
'centre' is an anagram of 'retenc'.
'pe' going around 'retenc' is 'PRETENCE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pretence that I've seen before include "False show hiding reality" , "Sham" , "Make-believe, perhaps a phoney claim to status (8)" , "Ten creep (anag.)" , "Make-believe, or false claim to merit" .)