Starveling rejected jelly and cake (10)
I believe the answer is:
ragamuffin
'starveling' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'rejected jelly and cake' is the wordplay.
'rejected' says the letters should be written backwards.
'jelly' becomes 'agar' (gelatinous substance).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'cake' becomes 'muffin' (I've seen this before).
'agar' backwards is 'raga'.
'raga'+'muffin'='RAGAMUFFIN'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ragamuffin that I've seen before include "Waif" , "Tatterdemalion" , "Disreputable type" , "untidy child" , "Fuming afar (anag)" .)