Study types who can act as companions (8)
I believe the answer is:
consorts
'can act as companions' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'study types' is the wordplay.
'study' becomes 'con' (con can informally mean to study).
'types' becomes 'sorts' (I've seen this before).
'con'+'sorts'='CONSORTS'
'who' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for consorts that I've seen before include "Scorns to mix with royal couples" , "Scorns to mix with royal husbands or wives" , "Partners, companions" , "Hangs out with" .)