Figure Jade knocked back is a greedy so-and-so (6)
I believe the answer is:
gannet
'a greedy so-and-so' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.
'figure jade knocked back' is the wordplay.
'figure' becomes 'ten' (ten is a number or figure).
'jade' becomes 'nag' (synonyms).
'knocked back' says the letters should be written backwards.
'ten'+'nag'='tennag'
'tennag' back-to-front is 'GANNET'.
'is' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for gannet that I've seen before include "Large seabird noted for its plunging dives for fish" , "guzzler?" , "Solan goose was this bird's former name" , "greedy type" , "Seabird - glutton" .)