Very upset when a gun went off, shied uncontrollably (9)
I believe the answer is:
anguished
'very upset' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'a gun went off shied uncontrollably' is the wordplay.
'went off' indicates an anagram.
'uncontrollably' indicates anagramming the letters (I've seen this in other clues).
'gun' is an anagram of 'ngu'.
'shied' is an anagram of 'ished'.
'a'+'ngu'+'ished'='ANGUISHED'
'when' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for anguished that I've seen before include "Suffering greatly" , "Distressed mentally" , "Dolorous" .)