Infant working to pocket pound in venal society (7)
I believe the answer is:
babylon
'venal society' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'infant working to pocket pound' is the wordplay.
'infant' becomes 'baby' (synonyms).
'working' becomes 'on' (on can mean working or activated).
'to pocket' is an insertion indicator.
'pound' becomes 'L' (the pound sign is based on an L).
'baby'+'on'='babyon'
'babyon' enclosing 'l' is 'BABYLON'.
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for babylon that I've seen before include "Ancient ruined city in modern Iraq" , "Sinful city in Biblical times, had Hanging Gardens" , "Bony lab found in the ancient city" , "Bony lab in the old city of Mesopotamia" , "Ancient city on Euphrates noted for luxury and wickedness" .)