Occasionally took on less having such devices (5)
I believe the answer is:
tools
'such devices' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'occasionally took on less' is the wordplay.
'occasionally' indicates alternate letters (letters taken at regular intervals or occasions).
'took'+'on'+'less'='tookonless'
The alternate letters of 'tookonless' are 'TOOLS'.
'having' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tools that I've seen before include "Utensils" , "Hand implements" , "Implements used in one's job" , "Implements used to carry out particular functions" , "Devices or implements, as of the trade" .)