Careful and persistent work or effort (9)
I believe the answer is:
diligence
'careful and persistent work or effort' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for diligence that I've seen before include "needing proper care and attention" , "It takes steady application" , "Steady application and industry" , "Thoroughgoing application" , "Careful and persistent work or effort" .)