Medici cleverly collaring winter eavesdropper (6)
I believe the answer is:
icicle
'winter eavesdropper' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.
'medici cleverly collaring' is the wordplay.
'ICICLE' is hidden within the letters.
However, I'm unsure how the hidden word is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for icicle that I've seen before include "Pendent spear of frozen water" , "Tree D [DECORATION]" , "Hanging spike of frozen water" , "A pendant spike of frozen water" , "Hanging piece of frozen water" .)