Hide countries' odd constituents? (5)
I believe the answer is:
ictus
'hide' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.
'countries' odd constituents?' is the wordplay.
'odd' means one should take alternating letters.
'constituents?' indicates anagramming the letters (I've seen 'constituents' mean this).
The alternate letters of 'countries' are 'cutis'.
'cutis' is an anagram of 'ICTUS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ictus that I've seen before include "Is cut (anag.)" , "Metrical stress" , "Sudden attack" , "Stroke" , "recurrence of disease results" .)