Official has bearing on character (4,8)
I believe the answer is:
card carrying
'official' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'bearing on character' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'bearing' could be 'carrying' ('carry' can be a synonym of 'bear') and 'carrying' is found within the answer.
'character' could be 'card' (both can mean a humorous person) and 'card' is found within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'has' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for card carrying that I've seen before include "Sporting proof of allegiance" , "Like a signed-up member" , "Many postmen will be doing this at Christmas" .)