Actor opts, occasionally, to play river dweller? (4)
I believe the answer is:
coot
'play river dweller?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'actor opts occasionally' is the wordplay.
'occasionally' means one should take alternating letters (letters taken at regular intervals or occasions).
'actor'+'opts'='actoropts'
The alternate letters of 'actoropts' are 'COOT'.
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for coot that I've seen before include "Slow-flying birds, duck-like" , "Blackish aquatic bird" , "Slow-flying bird, resembling a duck" , "Waterfowl" , "Stupid or eccentric man" .)