A cord and tangled net becomes constrictive (10)
I believe the answer is:
astringent
'constrictive' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'a cord and tangled net' is the wordplay.
'cord' becomes 'string' (string is a kind of cord).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'tangled' indicates anagramming the letters.
'net' with letters rearranged gives 'ent'.
'a'+'string'+'ent'='ASTRINGENT'
'becomes' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for astringent that I've seen before include "biting" , "Sharp or severe in manner" , "Severe - checking the flow of blood" , "Styptic" , "Caustic" .)