Zip up uncovered volumes scattered on the kitchen floor (8)
I believe the answer is:
linoleum
'the kitchen floor' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
'zip up uncovered volumes scattered' is the wordplay.
'zip' becomes 'nil' (synonyms).
'up' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'uncovered' indicates the central letters.
'scattered' indicates anagramming the letters.
The middle of 'volumes' is 'olume'.
'nil' reversed gives 'lin'.
'olume' with letters rearranged gives 'oleum'.
'lin'+'oleum'='LINOLEUM'
'on' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for linoleum that I've seen before include "Canvas-backed floor covering" , "Kind of floor covering with shiny surface" , "Common floor covering, often in kitchen" , "Mule/lion cross for a floor covering" , "Type of floor covering" .)