Blocks retrospective notice about cuts (8)
I believe the answer is:
eclipses
'blocks' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I don't understand how they can define each other.
'retrospective notice about cuts' is the wordplay.
'retrospective' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'notice' becomes 'see' (I've seen this before).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'cuts' becomes 'clips' (clip is a kind of cut).
'see' backwards is 'ees'.
'ees' going around 'clips' is 'ECLIPSES'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eclipses that I've seen before include "blackouts" , "Blocks out" , "Overshadows" , "Makes obscure" , "Temporary disappearances of a heavenly body" .)