Popular dog is gifted but is lacking remedy (9)
I believe the answer is:
incurable
'lacking remedy' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.
'popular dog is gifted' is the wordplay.
'popular' becomes 'in' (something that's 'in' is fashionable).
'dog' becomes 'cur' (both can mean a despicable person).
'is gifted' becomes 'able' (I've seen this before).
'in'+'cur'+'able'='INCURABLE'
'but is' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for incurable that I've seen before include "must be endured" , "Incorrigible" , "Beyond reach of treatment" , "Not able to be made well" .)