Whence, abroad, to return in complaisance (4)
I believe the answer is:
asia
'whence abroad' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'return in complaisance' is the wordplay.
'return' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'aisa' can be found hidden inside 'complaisance'.
'aisa' backwards is 'ASIA'.
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for asia that I've seen before include "Continent bordering three oceans" , "Eastern continent" , "The nations of the East, collectively" , "Continent of the Hindu Kush" , "Great continent" .)