Virtuous releasing maiden from one's trap (4)
I believe the answer is:
oral
'one's trap' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.
'virtuous releasing maiden' is the wordplay.
'virtuous' becomes 'moral' (associated in meaning).
'releasing' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'maiden' becomes 'm' (cricket abbreviation).
'moral' with 'm' taken away is 'ORAL'.
'from' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for oral that I've seen before include "Spoken rather than written" , "Of the voice" , "Viva voce" , "Ant; tourist (dial.)" , "'Spoken, not written (4)'" .)
