About time! A thorough search for where bodies are buried (8)
I believe the answer is:
catacomb
'where bodies are buried' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
'about time a thorough search' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 'ca' (circa).
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'thorough search' becomes 'comb' (combing is a kind of searching. I am not sure about the 'thorough' bit.).
'ca'+'t'+'a'+'comb'='CATACOMB'
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for catacomb that I've seen before include "Subterranean cemetery" , "underground tunnels" , "Burial-place" , "underground vault" , "tunnel for burial" .)