Saw old members go without permission (4)
I believe the answer is:
awol
'permission' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'saw old members go without' is the wordplay.
'AWOL' is hidden in amongst the letters.
However, I'm not sure how the hidden word is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for awol that I've seen before include "Not present when supposed to be" , "gone missing" , "'Absent without permission, initially (4)'" , "Absent without permission, in short" , "Truant (or just missing)" .)