County loses energy (5)

I believe the answer is:

wilts

This clue is a double definition.

'county' is the first definition.
(short for Wiltshire)

'loses energy' is the second definition.
(wilt can mean to lose energy or enthusiasm)

(Other definitions for wilts that I've seen before include "Southern county" , "Becomes limp; county" , "(Of foliage) goes limp" , "Count[r?]y" , "Flags" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app