Strong wind meeting hill church. This could strip surface (9)
I believe the answer is:
blowtorch
'strip surface' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'strong wind meeting hill church this' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'wind' could be 'blow' (blow is a kind of wind) and 'blow' is located in the answer.
'hill' could be 'tor' (tor is a kind of hill) and 'tor' is located in the answer.
'church' could be 'ch' (abbreviation on maps etc) and 'ch' is found within the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'could' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for blowtorch that I've seen before include "Device with an intense flame for stripping paint" , "tool?" , "Small burner with a very hot flame" , "Paint burner" , "Gas burner" .)