Cunning adversary removing header from public record (8)
I believe the answer is:
archival
'header from public record' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are adjectives, I don't understand how they can define each other.
'cunning adversary removing' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'cunning' could be 'arch' (arch can mean cunning or tricksy) and 'arch' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for archival that I've seen before include "records?" , "describing record collection" , "Like recordings" , "Record-keeping" .)