Inflexible loop in medical tube (9)
I believe the answer is:
stringent
'inflexible' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'loop in medical tube' is the wordplay.
'loop' becomes 'ring' (I've seen this in another clue).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'medical tube' becomes 'stent' (I've seen this in another clue).
'ring' inserted within 'stent' is 'STRINGENT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for stringent that I've seen before include "Strict, precise, exacting" , "Harsh" , "Tough" , "binding" , "Of rule, say strict and precise" .)