Racketeer in old film from Massachusetts originally to be buried outside (4)
I believe the answer is:
lime
'racketeer in old film' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'massachusetts originally to be buried outside' is the wordplay.
'originally' suggests taking the first letters.
'to be buried' becomes 'lie' (I've seen this before).
'outside' indicates putting letters inside (some letters go outside others).
The initial letter of 'massachusetts' is 'm'.
'm' inserted inside 'lie' is 'LIME'.
'from' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lime that I've seen before include "Hang about in Jamaica" , "Sharp-tasting fruit" , "Bright light green" , "Tree, linden or citrus" , "Type of stone" .)