Characteristic alternative of disloyal one (7)
I believe the answer is:
traitor
'disloyal one' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.
'characteristic alternative' is the wordplay.
'characteristic' becomes 'trait' (a trait is a quality or characteristic).
'alternative' becomes 'or'.
'trait'+'or'='TRAITOR'
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for traitor that I've seen before include "Person betraying a cause" , "Judas" , "One committing treason" , "Rat displayed" , "Unreliable type" .)