Entertained by Aesop - historically one who'll split hairs? (7)
I believe the answer is:
sophist
'split hairs?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
'entertained by aesop historically one who'll' is the wordplay.
'entertained by' indicates a hidden word (the clue hosts or entertains the answer).
'SOPHIST' is hidden in the letters of 'aesop historically wholl'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sophist that I've seen before include "philosopher" , "One given to specious reasoning" , "One using clever but fallacious arguments" , "one might plausibly argue" , "Clever but fallacious reasoner" .)