The placebo the doctor gave the hypochondriac? (5,5)
I believe the answer is:
tonic water
'the placebo' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tonic water that I've seen before include "something for your gin?" , "Accompaniment to gin" , "Aerated quinine drink" , "Mixer" , "Non-alcoholic drink" .)