Ninny died: rest in peace (4)
I believe the answer is:
drip
'ninny' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.
'died rest in peace' is the wordplay.
'died' becomes 'd' (abbreviation next to the year of someone's death).
'rest in peace' becomes 'RIP' (inscription written on gravestones).
'd'+'rip'='DRIP'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for drip that I've seen before include "Fall in droplets -- weedy person" , "Hospital equipment; weak person" , "wet blanket" , "Wet - sign of faulty washer" , "Insubstantial person - trickle" .)