An attack by the RE, roughly speaking? (5)
I believe the answer is:
about
're roughly speaking?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'an attack by' is the wordplay.
'an' becomes 'a'.
'attack' becomes 'bout' (I've seen this in another clue).
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a'+'bout'='ABOUT'
'the' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for about that I've seen before include "Concerning; roughly" , "Engaged in" , "Concerning or around" , "On the topic of" , "Apropos, concerning" .)