Runner mostly in Devon with attractive top (7)
I believe the answer is:
execute
'top' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I cannot understand how they can define each other.
'runner mostly in devon with attractive' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'runner' could be 'exe' (River Exe) and 'exe' is present in the answer.
'attractive' could be 'cute' (similar in meaning) and 'cute' is found in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for execute that I've seen before include "shoot" , "Finish off" , "Discharge" , "Put (plan) into effect; kill (a condemned person)" , "Complete - implement" .)