Refer, upsettingly, to single, specific case made previously by abstemious type (7)
I believe the answer is:
ascetic
'previously by abstemious type' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'refer upsettingly to single specific case' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'single' could be 'i' (one) and 'i' is located in the answer.
an anagram of 'case' is 'asce' which is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'made' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ascetic that I've seen before include "Austere, Spartan" , "Severely disciplined" , "Self-disciplined person" , "Self-denying, leading severely simple life" , "he never imbibes" .)