Hornet has been quiet (4)
I believe the answer is:
wasp
'hornet' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'been quiet' is the wordplay.
'been' becomes 'was' (being is a kind of being).
'quiet' becomes 'p' (music symbol for 'piano').
'was'+'p'='WASP'
'has' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for wasp that I've seen before include "White Anglo-Saxon Protestant" , "spiteful person?" , "Influential American" , "Insect with a formidable sting" , "Middle class American" .)