They secure the normal shipping rates (5)
I believe the answer is:
knots
This might be a double definition.
'they secure' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'normal shipping rates' is the second definition.
The answer and definition can be both human attributes as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for knots that I've seen before include "They secure" , "Grannies, reeff etc" , "Tangles" , "Nautical mph" , "the going rate, in the main" .)