Uncovered part within set not easily obtained (4-6)
I believe the answer is:
hard-earned
'not easily obtained' is the definition.
The answer and definition are different parts of speech. However, past participle verbs and adjectives sometimes mean the same thing.
'uncovered part within set' is the wordplay.
'uncovered' means to look at the middle letters.
'within' is an insertion indicator.
'set' becomes 'hardened' (synonyms).
The centre of 'part' is 'ar'.
'ar' going inside 'hardened' is 'HARD-EARNED'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hard-earned that I've seen before include "Gained through toil or difficulties" , "Acquired through much work" , "Resulting from much toil" .)