Clasped at the heart - by Cleopatra? (3)
I believe the answer is:
asp
'cleopatra?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'clasped at the heart' is the wordplay.
'ASP' is hidden within the letters.
However, I'm unsure how this is indicated.
'by' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for asp that I've seen before include "Reptile" , "Predatory fish" , "Small poisonous snake" , "Kind of snake - what a sap" , "Snake found in spa" .)