Veil Lenora used to cover return of circus elephant (6)
I believe the answer is:
nellie
'circus elephant' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'veil lenora used to cover return' is the wordplay.
'to cover' indicates a hidden word (I've seen 'covered' mean this (the answer is covered up by the clue)).
'return' says the letters should be written backwards.
'eillen' is hidden within 'veil lenora used'.
'eillen' in reverse letter order is 'NELLIE'.
'of' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for nellie that I've seen before include "'There's an old mill by the stream,......Dean'" , "Dame -- Melba, singer" , "See 6" , "Girl" , "Old song: ''Wait Till the Sun Shines . . . . . .''" .)