Weakened and let guards empty latrine (8)
I believe the answer is:
relented
'weakened' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I don't see how they can define each other.
'let guards empty latrine' is the wordplay.
'let' becomes 'rented' (I've seen this before**).
'guards' is an insertion indicator.
'empty' means to remove the middle letters.
'latrine' with its middle removed is 'le'.
'rented' going around 'le' is 'RELENTED'.
'and' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for relented that I've seen before include "Gave in (to pleas?)" , "Became less severe, let up" , "Became less intense" , "Grew less severe" , "Gave in and became less severe" .)