As printed by quiet copiers? (6)
I believe the answer is:
papers
'as printed by quiet copiers?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'by quiet copiers?' is the wordplay.
'by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'quiet' becomes 'p' (music symbol for 'piano', ie soft or quiet).
'copiers?' becomes 'apers' (ape can mean to mimic or copy).
'p'+'apers' is 'PAPERS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for papers that I've seen before include "Identifying documents" , "Documents; the press" , "Print media" , "tabloids, maybe" , "Documentation" .)