Check an Arabian writing to a German (4)
I believe the answer is:
rein
'check' is the definition.
(both can mean to control or limit)
'an arabian writing to a german' is the wordplay.
'an arabian writing' becomes 'r' (I've seen this in other clues. I am not sure about the 'arabian' bit.**).
'to a german' becomes 'ein' ('a' in German).
'r'+'ein'='REIN'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rein that I've seen before include "Horse's steering strap" , "Free ... is carte blanche" , "Check; control" , "Part of a horses's harness" , "Hold back" .)