Covered by article, a number with no record of offences (5)
I believe the answer is:
clean
'with no record of offences' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
'covered by article a number' is the wordplay.
'covered by' indicates a hidden word.
'CLEAN' is hidden within 'article a number'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for clean that I've seen before include "Absolute - pure" , "Not prohibited" , "Spick and span" , "Wash" , "Unspoiled" .)