How an adipose friend could be wounded (7)
I believe the answer is:
fatally
'how an' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'adipose friend could be wounded' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'adipose' could be 'fat' (similar in meaning) and 'fat' is located in the answer.
'friend' could be 'ally' (an ally is a friend or supporter) and 'ally' is found in the answer.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for fatally that I've seen before include "producing disastrous result" , "Might one be wounded thus" , "Mortally" , "in decisive manner" , "with no hope of revival" .)