Encountered returning dish with the formula (8)
I believe the answer is:
template
'the formula' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.
'encountered returning dish' is the wordplay.
'encountered' becomes 'met' ('meet' can be a synonym of 'encounter').
'returning' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'dish' becomes 'plate' (plate is a kind of dish).
'met' backwards is 'tem'.
'tem'+'plate'='TEMPLATE'
'with' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for template that I've seen before include "Model or standard for making comparisons" , "Pattern shape" , "Shape serving as model" , "Shaped pattern" , "gauge" .)