Hanger lacking top. one that uses hooks (6)
I believe the answer is:
angler
'hanger lacking top one that uses hooks' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.
'one that uses hooks' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'one' could be 'an' (an apple is one apple) and 'an' is found within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for angler that I've seen before include "A rod-and-line fisherman" , "Sportsman" , "I cast Rod" , "Walton's was Compleat" , "Strait; -- of Lochalsh" .)