Poisoner catches general unawares (6)
I believe the answer is:
asleep
'unawares' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adverbs. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'poisoner catches general' is the wordplay.
'poisoner' becomes 'asp' (venomous snake).
'catches' indicates putting letters inside.
'general' becomes 'Lee' (Robert E. Lee - US revolutionary commander).
'asp' going around 'lee' is 'ASLEEP'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for asleep that I've seen before include "Like kippers" , "Snoozing" , "Conked out" , "Dead to the world" , "Having nodded off" .)