Some venerated traitor (3)
I believe the answer is:
rat
'traitor' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'some venerated' is the wordplay.
'some' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (some of the parts of the word are used).
'RAT' can be found hidden inside 'venerated'.
(Other definitions for rat that I've seen before include "one escaping doomed vessel?" , "Domestic rodent" , "Inform" , "Renegade" , "Grass" .)