Classical academic youngster left in spring (9)
I believe the answer is:
aristotle
'classical academic' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'youngster left in spring' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'youngster' could be 'tot' (tot is a kind of youngster) and 'tot' is found in the answer.
'left' could be 'l' (common abbreviation) and 'l' is found within the answer.
'spring' could be 'arise' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'arise' is located in the remaining letters.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for aristotle that I've seen before include "Greek logician" , "Great Greek philosopher of 4th century B.C." , "Greek philosopher (Poetics, Politics)" , "philosophy tutor" , "Philosopher - treats oil (anag)" .)