No signs of approval in these corners (5)
I believe the answer is:
nooks
'these corners' is the definition.
('nook' can be a synonym of 'corner')
'no signs of approval in' is the wordplay.
'no signs' becomes 'ns' (this could be a standard abbreviation of which I'm unaware).
'of' becomes 'o''.
'approval' becomes 'OK' (OK is an example).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'o'+'ok'='ook'
'ns' enclosing 'ook' is 'NOOKS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for nooks that I've seen before include "Sheltered corners" , "secluded parts" , "Alcoves" , "out-of-the-way places" , "Cubbyholes" .)