Spot reduced description of work (4)
I believe the answer is:
spec
'description of work' is the definition.
(a description of work to be done)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for spec that I've seen before include "Risky investment" , "Detailed design document (abbr.)" , "Detailed description of design criteria (abbr)" , "Required standard of workmanship" , "Gamble (colloq.)" .)