Nuclear weapon that puts us off? (9)
I believe the answer is:
deterrent
'nuclear weapon that puts us off?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
This is the entire clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for deterrent that I've seen before include "Something discouraging action" , "It restrains" , "It discourages someone from doing something" , "Eg, a nuclear weapon" , "Weapon to discourage attack" .)