Drink after very final message (4)
I believe the answer is:
vale
'final message' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'drink after very' is the wordplay.
'drink' becomes 'ale' (type of beer).
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'very' becomes 'v' (abbreviation).
'ale' after 'v' is 'VALE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for vale that I've seen before include "Cheers" , "Valley" , "'''Sweet ... of Avoca, how calm could I rest'' (Moore) (4)'" , "Maida -, N. London area; farewell (archaic)" , "Trough between ridges" .)