Protests spread, our opium regularly being returned (7)
I believe the answer is:
uproars
'protests' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'spread our opium regularly being returned' is the wordplay.
'regularly' indicates alternate letters (regularly take one letter, leave next etc.).
'being returned' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'spread'+'our'+'opium'='spreadouropium'
The alternate letters of 'spreadouropium' are 'sraorpu'.
'sraorpu' reversed gives 'UPROARS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for uproars that I've seen before include "Noisy commotions" , "rackets" , "Hubbubs, brouhahas" , "Loud confused noises from many sources" .)