Make a copy of content-free, sardonic article (4)
I believe the answer is:
scan
'make a copy' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'content-free sardonic article' is the wordplay.
'content-free' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters) (remove the inside letters or 'content' of the word).
'article' becomes 'an' (English indefinite article).
'sardonic' with its centre removed is 'sc'.
'sc'+'an'='SCAN'
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for scan that I've seen before include "at one's feet?" , "Traverse with a detector" , "Hercule ---, detective" , "Scrutinise; glance over" , "Examine (to transmit)" .)