Place in Waterford is under study? (8)
I believe the answer is:
deputise
'under study?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I cannot see how they can define each other.
'place in waterford' is the wordplay.
'place' becomes 'is' (I've seen this in other clues).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'waterford' becomes 'depute' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'is' inserted into 'depute' is 'DEPUTISE'.
'is' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for deputise that I've seen before include "Stand in for" , "Understudy" , "Appoint as a substitute" , "Act as delegate for a person" , "Appoint as representative" .)