A coating (of eggs?) (5)
I believe the answer is:
layer
'a coating' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for layer that I've seen before include "Coating" , "Stratum, tier" , "Bed - hen" , "Hen, perhaps" , "One supplying eggs" .)