Perverse, rang back then went ahead (7)
I believe the answer is:
gnarled
'perverse' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'rang back then went ahead' is the wordplay.
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'then' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'went ahead' becomes 'led' (led the way).
'rang' reversed gives 'gnar'.
'gnar'+'led'='GNARLED'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for gnarled that I've seen before include "Knobbly and twisted (of wood)" , "Knotty" , "Knotted, twisted (tree)" , "Rugged" , "Covered with knobs or knots, tree say" .)