Practitioner needing to perform with a clear head (3)
I believe the answer is:
doc
'practitioner' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'to perform with a clear head' is the wordplay.
'to perform' becomes 'do' (both can mean complete an action).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'head' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'clear' is 'c'.
'do'+'c'='DOC'
'needing' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for doc that I've seen before include "Medic, in short" , "Physician (colloq.)" , "Fox perhaps" , "bones" , "Medic (familiar)" .)