Downcast and carrying an instrument, said hello (7)
I believe the answer is:
saluted
'downcast' is the definition.
The answer and definition are different parts of speech. However, adjectives and past participle verbs occasionally mean the same thing.
'carrying an instrument said hello' is the wordplay.
'carrying' indicates putting letters inside.
'an instrument' becomes 'lute' (lute is a kind of instrument).
'said hello' becomes 'sad' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'lute' placed inside 'sad' is 'SALUTED'.
'and' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for saluted that I've seen before include "Greeted or honoured" , "Acknowledged" , "Kissed" , "Due last (anag.)" , "Given a tribute" .)