Reversal of rule tricks swimmers (8)
I believe the answer is:
walruses
'swimmers' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.
'reversal of rule tricks' is the wordplay.
'reversal of' is a reversal indicator.
'rule' becomes 'law' (law is a kind of rule).
'tricks' becomes 'ruses' (a ruse is a trick or ploy).
'law' in reverse letter order is 'wal'.
'wal'+'ruses'='WALRUSES'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for walruses that I've seen before include "Customers long in the tooth" , "Aquatic mammals related to seals" , "Aquatic wrinkly mammals" , "Large marine mammals" , "Aquatic animals related to seals" .)