Pushes back and is permitted to interrupt periods of relaxation (7)
I believe the answer is:
resists
'pushes back' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with social activities as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'is permitted to interrupt periods of relaxation' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'is' is found in the answer.
'periods' could be 'rests' (rest is a kind of period) and 'rests' is found in the remaining letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'and' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for resists that I've seen before include "Defies" , "Is reluctant" , "Sisters (anag.)" , "Opposes, puts up fight" , "Defends" .)