Crossword Genius

Mail about framer - sadly, it's always cold (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

permafrost

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'always cold' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'mail about framer sadly' is the wordplay.
'mail' becomes 'post' (synonyms).
'about' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'sadly' is an anagram indicator.
'framer' with letters rearranged gives 'ermafr'.
'post' going around 'ermafr' is 'PERMAFROST'.

'it's' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for permafrost that I've seen before include "Hard layer" , "Ground never thawing" , "Ground frozen for a long time" , "feature of polar regions" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app