Amateur swordplay manfully cut down to size (6)
I believe the answer is:
layman
'amateur' is the definition.
(a layman is an amateur or non-expert)
'swordplay manfully cut down to size' is the wordplay.
'LAYMAN' is hidden in amongst the letters.
But, I'm uncertain how the hidden word is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for layman that I've seen before include "Person without specialised knowledge of subject" , "He's not a clergyman" , "Someone who is not an expert" , "He's not military or clerical" , "Non-ordained church member" .)