Comprehend the meaning of words written, sometimes freehand (4)
I believe the answer is:
read
'comprehend' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'sometimes freehand' is the wordplay.
'sometimes' means one should take alternating letters (some of the letters are taken at regular intervals).
The alternate letters of 'freehand' are 'READ'.
'the meaning of words written' acts as a link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for read that I've seen before include "Looked at and understood" , "Lecture" , "(Of passage) have a certain wording" , "Interpret (text)" , "Understand written music" .)