Small coasters, perhaps (4)
I believe the answer is:
mats
'small coasters' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mats that I've seen before include "Floor pads" , "frosts" , "Rugs" .)