Lofty ladies let loose (6)
I believe the answer is:
ideals
'lofty ladies let loose' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'ladies let loose' is the wordplay.
'let loose' is an anagram indicator.
'ladies' with letters rearranged gives 'IDEALS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ideals that I've seen before include "Standards for attainment or imitation" , "Ideas regarded as perfect or standards" , "Models of behaviour to aim for" , "Standards to aim for" , "Models; principles" .)