Strippers use these very large gatherings to go topless (8)
I believe the answer is:
solvents
'strippers' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.
'use these very large gatherings to go topless' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'very' could be 'so' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'so' is located in the answer.
'large' could be 'l' and 'l' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'vents' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for solvents that I've seen before include "They are capable of dissolving other substances" , "Liquids used for dissolving something" , "(not to be sniffed at!)" , "Liquids used to dissolve something" .)