Lacerated round back of rosebush — by this? (5)
I believe the answer is:
thorn
'this?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'lacerated round back of rosebush' is the wordplay.
'lacerated' becomes 'torn' (synonyms).
'round' indicates putting letters inside.
'back of' indicates one should take the final letters.
The last letter of 'rosebush' is 'h'.
'torn' enclosing 'h' is 'THORN'.
'by' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for thorn that I've seen before include "Cause of grief" , "Pointed extension of leaf" , "Pointed growth" , "source of discomfort" , "Woody prickle" .)