Scrupulous about Liberal soldier returning debts (9)
I believe the answer is:
religious
'scrupulous' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'liberal soldier returning debts' is the wordplay.
'liberal' becomes 'rel' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'soldier' becomes 'GI' (term for US soldier).
'returning' says the letters should be written backwards.
'debts' becomes 'IOUs' (promises to pay debts).
'gi' reversed gives 'ig'.
'rel'+'ig'+'ious'='RELIGIOUS'
'about' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for religious that I've seen before include "Believing in god" , "Fussy" , "pi" , "Concerned with sacred or church matters" , "Brother" .)