Evasive sort of scoundrel losing face (3)
I believe the answer is:
eel
'evasive sort' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'scoundrel losing face' is the wordplay.
'scoundrel' becomes 'heel' (heel can mean a scoundrel or villain).
'losing face' means to remove the first letter.
'heel' with its initial letter taken off is 'EEL'.
'of' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eel that I've seen before include "Electric swimmer, perhaps?" , "Ribbon-like fish" , "A sea snake" , "Proverbially slippery fish" , "Elongated fish" .)