Twist has dependent child facing a blow (8)
I believe the answer is:
windward
'twist' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.
'dependent child facing a blow' is the wordplay.
'dependent child' becomes 'ward' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'facing' says to put letters next to each other.
'a blow' becomes 'wind'.
'ward' put after 'wind' is 'WINDWARD'.
'has' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for windward that I've seen before include "Some islands" , "Side from which the breeze blows" , "wrong side for the seasick?" .)