Watchdog’s list with pistol to be returned (9)
I believe the answer is:
regulator
'watchdog's' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.
'list with pistol to be returned' is the wordplay.
'list' becomes 'rota' (rota is a kind of list).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'pistol' becomes 'luger' (I have seen 'German pistol' mean 'luger' so perhaps 'pistol' could also mean 'luger').
'to be returned' says the letters should be written backwards (I've seen 'being returned' mean this).
'rota'+'luger'='rotaluger'
'rotaluger' reversed gives 'REGULATOR'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for regulator that I've seen before include "Supervisor" , "part of the watch" , "Controller" , "Of body" , "source of rules?" .)