Irish writer lost heart to broad (4)
I believe the answer is:
wide
'broad' is the definition.
('wide' can be a synonym of 'broad')
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for wide that I've seen before include "lax in morals" , "Gaping" , "Expansive" , "Broad - extra" , "Of vast scope" .)