Holds back passion about rest at diesel centre (9)
I believe the answer is:
hesitates
'holds back passion' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with fundamental existence as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'rest at diesel centre' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'rest' could be 'sit' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'sit' is located in the answer.
'at' is within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'about' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hesitates that I've seen before include "Is somewhat lost for words" , "dithers" , "Has misgivings" , "rather dubious" , "thinks twice" .)