Suspect solitary enemy of Republican (8)
I believe the answer is:
royalist
'enemy of republican' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'suspect solitary' is the wordplay.
'suspect' is an anagram indicator (a suspicious or unusual spelling).
'solitary' with letters rearranged gives 'ROYALIST'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for royalist that I've seen before include "rightwinger?" , "Civil War participant" , "Supporter of monarchy" , "Advocate of the principles of monarchy" , "For queen" .)