Crossword Genius

Still on the sea bed around California and Maine (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

becalmed

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

'still on the sea' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'bed around california and maine' is the wordplay.
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'california' becomes 'cal' (short for California).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'maine' becomes 'me'.
'cal'+'me'='calme'
'bed' enclosing 'calme' is 'BECALMED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for becalmed that I've seen before include "(of sailing ship) unable to move" , "Motionless through lack of wind" , "still at sea" , "As a sailing ship without wind" , "In the doldrums" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.