Lose sense, briefly, as troll (6)
I believe the answer is:
goblin
'troll' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'lose sense briefly as' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'as' could be 'in' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'in' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for goblin that I've seen before include "Naughty sprite" , "Mischievous ugly creature of folklore" , "Small trouble-making creature of folklore" , "Malevolent gnome" , "Mischievous sprite" .)