Reportedly plod back (6)
I believe the answer is:
lumbar
'back' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are adjectives, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
'reportedly plod' is the wordplay.
'reportedly' shows a homophone (sound like).
'plod' becomes 'lumber' (I've seen this in another clue).
'lumber' sounds like 'LUMBAR'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lumbar that I've seen before include "Area of the back between lowest ribs and pelvis" , "Relating to the back between lowest ribs and pelvis" , "Related to lower back" , "Area of the back between lower ribs and pelvis" , "Relating to the lower part of the back" .)