Took food after examination with a will (7)
I believe the answer is:
testate
'with a will' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'took food after examination' is the wordplay.
'took food' becomes 'ate' (I've seen this before).
'after' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'examination' becomes 'test' (synonyms).
'ate' after 'test' is 'TESTATE'.
(Other definitions for testate that I've seen before include "Having written a valid will" , "Person willing" , "Having left a legacy" , "Having made a last will and testament" , "Having made a will before death" .)