Smallest republic wants gold in vase returned (5)
I believe the answer is:
nauru
'smallest republic' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.
'gold in vase returned' is the wordplay.
'gold' becomes 'Au' (Au is the chemical symbol for gold).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'vase' becomes 'urn' (both can mean a container).
'returned' is a reversal indicator.
'urn' backwards is 'nru'.
'au' placed into 'nru' is 'NAURU'.
'wants' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for nauru that I've seen before include "Pacific coral island republic, once rich in phosphates" , "Pacific island country" , "Pacific republic, formerly Pleasant Island" , "SW Pacific republic" , "little nation" .)