Crossword Genius

Sturdy timber is good to have around one (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oak

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

'sturdy timber' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.

'good to have around one' is the wordplay.
'good' becomes 'ok'.
'to have' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'around one' becomes 'a' (a thing is one thing. I am not sure about the 'around' bit.).
'ok' going around 'a' is 'OAK'.

'is' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for oak that I've seen before include "Acorn tree" , "Common forest tree" , "Strong hardwood" , "Hardwood tree" , "Nose of certain wines" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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