She denies retired degenerate period heading sports body (9)
I believe the answer is:
abnegator
'sports body' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.
'she denies retired degenerate period heading' is the wordplay.
'she' becomes 'De'.
'denies' is a deletion indicator.
'retired' becomes 'abed' (I've seen this in another clue).
'degenerate period heading' becomes 'negator' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'abed' with 'de' taken out is 'ab'.
'ab'+'negator'='ABNEGATOR'
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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