Duke in court to secure expanse of trees (8)
I believe the answer is:
woodland
'expanse of trees' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both natural objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'duke in court to secure' is the wordplay.
'duke' becomes 'd' (abbreviation).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'court' becomes 'woo' (both can mean to romance someone).
'to secure' becomes 'land' (land can mean to secure or obtain).
'woo'+'land'='wooland'
'd' going into 'wooland' is 'WOODLAND'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for woodland that I've seen before include "Area covered with trees and shrubs" , "sylvan scene" , "deal here maybe?" , "Forested area" , "Forest" .)