Fencing equipment held by free people on retirement (4)
I believe the answer is:
epee
'fencing equipment' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'held by free people on retirement' is the wordplay.
'held by' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'on retirement' says the letters should be written backwards.
'eepe' can be found hidden inside 'free people'.
'eepe' backwards is 'EPEE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for epee that I've seen before include "Fighting blade" , "Use it to fence" , "Olympic event" , "Foil for riposte" , "Type of sword" .)