Gobsmacked when assistant returns in time (5)
I believe the answer is:
agape
'gobsmacked' is the definition.
The answer and definition are not the same part of speech. However, past participle verbs and adjectives occasionally mean the same thing.
'assistant returns in time' is the wordplay.
'assistant' becomes 'PA' (personal assistant).
'returns' is a reversal indicator.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'time' becomes 'age' (an age is a period of time).
'pa' in reverse letter order is 'ap'.
'ap' placed into 'age' is 'AGAPE'.
'when' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for agape that I've seen before include "religious feast" , "Christian's love" , "(Of mouth) wide open" , "love feast" , "Christian feast" .)