One pinched by criminal? (4)
I believe the answer is:
coin
'one pinched by criminal?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.
'one pinched by criminal?' is the wordplay.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'pinched by' is an insertion indicator (inserted letters get pinched or taken).
'criminal?' becomes 'con' (abbreviation for 'convict').
'i' inserted within 'con' is 'COIN'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for coin that I've seen before include "Money; devise (a word)" , "Invent a word or phrase - for money?" , "Metal piece of money" , "American quarter, for example" , "Create (phrase); metal token" .)