One flying, for instance, on a return half? (5)
I believe the answer is:
egret
'one flying' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'for instance on a return half?' is the wordplay.
'for instance' becomes 'eg' (synonyms).
'on' says to put letters next to each other.
'half?' suggests halving the letters.
'return' with half the letters taken is 'ret'.
'eg'+'ret'='EGRET'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for egret that I've seen before include "young bird" , "White-plumed wader" , "Kind of white heron - greet it" , "One of a pair of waders" , "Wading bird like a heron" .)