Check on what sounds like beloved forest dweller? (8)
I believe the answer is:
reindeer
'forest dweller?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'check on what sounds like beloved' is the wordplay.
'check' becomes 'rein' (both can mean to control or limit).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'what sounds like' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'beloved' becomes 'dear' ('dear' can be a synonym of 'beloved').
'dear' sounds like 'deer'.
'rein'+'deer'='REINDEER'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for reindeer that I've seen before include "Santa's sleigh pullers" , "Eg, Santa's Rudolph" , "wild animal" , "Dancer's one" , "Dancer, perhaps" .)