Bears a twisted sword (5)
I believe the answer is:
sabre
'sword' is the definition.
(I know that sabre is a type of sword)
'bears a twisted' is the wordplay.
'a twisted' is an anagram indicator.
'bears' with letters rearranged gives 'SABRE'.
(Other definitions for sabre that I've seen before include "weapon" , "Type of sword" , "Sword (that may be rattled)" , "Bares (anag.)" , "Slasher" .)