One developing to leap around pond finally? (7)
I believe the answer is:
tadpole
'one' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.
'developing to leap around pond finally?' is the wordplay.
'developing' indicates anagramming the letters (letters developed into a new form).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'finally?' says to take the final letters (I've seen 'finally' mean this).
The last letter of 'pond' is 'd'.
'to'+'leap'='toleap'
'toleap' anagrammed gives 'tapole'.
'tapole' placed around 'd' is 'TADPOLE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tadpole that I've seen before include "developed from spawn" , "Young toad" , "Pre-frog form" , "Little creature in water" , "Young Kermit" .)