Taverns in Nova Scotia primarily (4)
I believe the answer is:
inns
'taverns' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'in nova scotia primarily' is the wordplay.
'primarily' says to take the initial letters.
The first letters of 'nova scotia' is 'ns'.
'in'+'ns'='INNS'
(Other definitions for inns that I've seen before include "Places of rest and sustenance for travellers" , "Roadhouses or courthouses" , "Public houses" , "More than one pub" , "Old-time hostelries" .)