Split singular items of clothing (9)
I believe the answer is:
separates
'split singular items of clothing' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'split singular items of' is the wordplay.
'split' becomes 'separate' (synonyms).
'singular items of' becomes 's' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'separate'+'s'='SEPARATES'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for separates that I've seen before include "Detaches from another" , "women's garments" , "Sorts out" , "Splits up, sunders" , "Keeps apart from others" .)