With which to open hostilities? (4)
I believe the answer is:
shot
'with which to open hostilities?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'with which to open' is the wordplay.
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'which' becomes 'sho' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'open' says to take the initial letters (I've seen 'opens' mean this).
The first letter of 'to' is 't'.
'sho' next to 't' is 'SHOT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for shot that I've seen before include "Fired from a weapon" , "Woven in different colours; attempt to score" , "Photo; try" , "Knackered" , "injured or killed?" .)