I take degree and leave perfect insect state (5)
I believe the answer is:
imago
'perfect insect state' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.
'i take degree and leave' is the wordplay.
'take' says to put letters next to each other.
'degree' becomes 'MA' (Master of Arts is a type of degree).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'leave' becomes 'go' (to go is to depart or leave).
'i'+'ma'+'go'='IMAGO'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for imago that I've seen before include "Sexually mature adult insect" , "Post-pupa stage of an insect" , "Mature insect after metamorphosis" , "subconscious view" , "Final stage of insect development" .)