Romps and rolls embracing upright character (8)
I believe the answer is:
roisters
'romps' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I don't understand how they can define each other.
'rolls embracing upright character' is the wordplay.
'rolls' becomes 'rosters' ('roster' can be a synonym of 'roll').
'embracing' is an insertion indicator.
'upright character' becomes 'I' (vertical letter of the alphabet).
'rosters' placed around 'i' is 'ROISTERS'.
'and' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for roisters that I've seen before include "Makes merry in sorriest way" , "Noisily celebrates" , "Carouses" , "[WASSAILS]" , "Parties" .)