Loathing observed in clash at Eton (4)
I believe the answer is:
hate
'loathing' is the definition.
(loathing is hatred)
'in clash at eton' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates a hidden word.
'HATE' is hidden within 'clash at eton'.
'observed' acts as a link.
This may not be right. It may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hate that I've seen before include "Thoroughly dislike, loathe" , "[OPPOSITE OF] Be besotted with" , "Despise" , "Odium" , "powerful emotion" .)