Tore by repetition (4)
I believe the answer is:
rote
'repetition' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'tore' is the wordplay.
'tore' anagrams to 'ROTE'.
But, I'm not clear how this is indicated.
'by' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rote that I've seen before include "Kind of memory - that tore it" , "Habitual routine" , "Repetition from memory" , "performance based solely on routine" , "Repetition of something to be learned" .)