Written argument for holding game in a private area (8)
I believe the answer is:
apologia
'written argument' is the definition.
'apologia' can be an answer for 'argument' (thesaurus). I am not sure about the 'written' bit.
'holding game in a private area' is the wordplay.
'holding game' becomes 'polo' (polo is a kind of game. I am not sure about the 'holding' bit.).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'private' becomes 'GI' (GI can informally mean a US soldier).
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'a'+'gi'='agi'
'polo' put into 'agi' is 'apologi'.
'apologi'+'a'='APOLOGIA'
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for apologia that I've seen before include "Formal defence of one's actions" , "Formal defence of belief or conduct" , "Written defence or vindication" , "form of defence" , "Formal defence of one's conduct" .)