The tops of intensely cold yardarms will be (3)
I believe the answer is:
icy
'the tops of intensely cold yardarms will be' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'the tops of intensely cold yardarms' is the wordplay.
'the tops of' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'intensely cold yardarms' is 'ICY'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for icy that I've seen before include "Freezing and slippy" , "Very chilly" , "Very cold, hostile" , "Frosty, arctic" , "Frosty and slippy" .)