Pictish tribe retreated northwards, embracing fresh start (7)
I believe the answer is:
rebirth
'fresh start' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'pictish tribe retreated northwards embracing' is the wordplay.
'embracing' says the answer is hidden in the clue (the solution is embraced by words in the clue).
'northwards' says the letters should be written in reverse (in a down clue, letters go up or 'north').
'htriber' can be found hidden inside 'pictish tribe retreated'.
'htriber' reversed gives 'REBIRTH'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rebirth that I've seen before include "spiritual enlightenment" , "Renascence" , "Spiritual renewal" , "Revival; reincarnation" , "second coming" .)