Lonesome artist retreating after short gibe? (7)
I believe the answer is:
insular
'lonesome' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for insular that I've seen before include "Provincial" , "Man may be thus described" , "Aloof - like an island" , "Narrow-minded like islander?" , "Surrounded by water - narrow - prejudiced" .)