Some dread Derwent snake (5)
I believe the answer is:
adder
'snake' is the definition.
(adder is a kind of snake)
'some dread derwent' is the wordplay.
'some' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (some of the parts of the word are used).
'ADDER' can be found hidden inside 'dread derwent'.
(Other definitions for adder that I've seen before include "danger in the countryside" , "Small poisonous snake, viper" , "a poisonous type" , "Totter" , "Sliding" .)