Wire-surrounded father is so competent (7)
I believe the answer is:
capable
'competent' is the definition.
(associated in meaning)
'wire-surrounded father is' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'father' could be 'pa' (pa can mean dad or father) and 'pa' is located in the answer.
'wire' could be 'cable' (synonyms) and 'cable' is present in the remaining letters.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'so' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for capable that I've seen before include "accomplished" , "Able, proficient" , "Of a person, competent" , "Adept" , "'Clever, able (7)'" .)