Copper with brass edges for youngsters (4)
I believe the answer is:
cubs
'youngsters' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'copper with brass edges' is the wordplay.
'copper' becomes 'cu' (Cu is the chemical symbol for copper).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'edges' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters) (I've seen 'edges of' mean this).
'brass' with its middle removed is 'bs'.
'cu'+'bs'='CUBS'
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cubs that I've seen before include "Whelps" , "Junior Scouts" , "Young and inexperienced reporters" , "Little foxes" , "Young wolves" .)