Small item and the first nine letters returned (4)
I believe the answer is:
iota
'small item' is the definition.
(an iota is a tiny amount)
'the first nine letters returned' is the wordplay.
'the first nine letters' becomes 'atoi' (the letters A to I).
'returned' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'atoi' backwards is 'IOTA'.
'and' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for iota that I've seen before include "Gk. letter; tiny amount" , "Tiniest scrap" , "Greek letter - small quantity" , "Ninth letter of Greek alphabet, small amount" , "Jot, particle" .)