Ship in empty port attracts attention (4)
I believe the answer is:
psst
'ship in empty port attracts attention' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'ship in empty port' is the wordplay.
'ship' becomes 'ss'.
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'empty' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters).
'port' with its middle removed is 'pt'.
'ss' put into 'pt' is 'PSST'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for psst that I've seen before include "attempt to attract attention" , "Sibilant sound to get someone's attention" , "Pay attention" , "that attracts attention" , "way of attracting attention" .)