They may advance or stop if ordered (6)
I believe the answer is:
troops
'they' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are plural nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'advance or stop if ordered' is the wordplay.
'advance' becomes 'spot' (I've seen this in another clue).
'stop' indicates putting letters inside (stopping can mean blocking a gap).
'if ordered' says the letters should be written backwards.
'spot' placed around 'or' is 'spoort'.
'spoort' backwards is 'TROOPS'.
'may' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for troops that I've seen before include "Military forces" , "Groups of soldiers" , "Cavalry" , "Army" , "Bodies of soldiers" .)