Watchdog’s list with pistol to be returned (9)
I believe the answer is:
regulator
'watchdog's' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.
'list with pistol to be returned' is the wordplay.
'list' becomes 'rota' (rota is a kind of list).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'pistol' becomes 'luger' (I have seen 'German pistol' mean 'luger' so perhaps 'pistol' could also mean 'luger').
'to be returned' says the letters should be written in reverse (I've seen 'is returned' mean this).
'rota'+'luger'='rotaluger'
'rotaluger' in reverse letter order is 'REGULATOR'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for regulator that I've seen before include "Supervisor" , "part of the watch" , "Controller" , "Of body" , "source of rules?" .)