Crossword Genius

Seal I see beneath spar (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mastic

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'seal' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both substances as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'i see beneath spar' is the wordplay.
'see' becomes 'C' (the word for the letter, according to Chambers).
'beneath' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (in a down clue, some letters go below others).
'spar' becomes 'mast' (mast is a kind of spar).
'i'+'c'='ic'
'ic' put after 'mast' is 'MASTIC'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mastic that I've seen before include "Mouldable cement" , "Substance applied to joints" , "Gum from trees" , "Putty-like cement used as adhesive or filler" , "Waterproof sealant" .)

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