Recall failure of clumsy seaman to gather sails in the middle (7)
I believe the answer is:
amnesia
'recall failure' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to thinking as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'clumsy seaman to gather sails in the middle' is the wordplay.
'clumsy' is an anagram indicator.
'to gather' is an insertion indicator.
'sails' becomes 'rig' (I've seen this in other clues).
'in the middle' says to take the centre.
The central letter of 'rig' is 'i'.
'seaman' anagrammed gives 'amnesa'.
'amnesa' placed around 'i' is 'AMNESIA'.
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for amnesia that I've seen before include "Completely forgetting" , "Is a name (anag.)" , "Severe forgetfulness" , "Main sea (anag.)" , "Medical condition" .)