Break off end of cross when crossed by believer (6)
I believe the answer is:
desist
'break' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I can't see how they can define each other.
'end of cross when crossed by believer' is the wordplay.
'end of cross' becomes 'ds' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'when' becomes 'e' (I've seen this in other clues).
'crossed by' is an insertion indicator (inserted letters are crossed or covered by others).
'believer' becomes 'ist' (I've seen this in another clue).
'ds' placed around 'e' is 'des'.
'des'+'ist'='DESIST'
'off' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for desist that I've seen before include "Stop, abstain" , "Cease (from doing something)" , "Forbear" , "'Stop, give over (6)'" , "Stop, whoa, give over" .)