What does the cryptic crossword clue "Account for Essex's banks not attractive (7)" mean?

The definition is "Account for". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). EX (synonym="‘ E sse X ‘s banks’") + PLAIN (synonym="‘not attractive’") = EXPLAIN; definition: "Account for" The answer is EXPLAIN.

Account for Essex's banks not attractive (7)

Guardian Cryptic #29259 | 19 Down | 2023-12-21 flower

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