Robust, skilful lad losing energy finally perished (4-6)
I believe the answer is:
able-bodied
'robust' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'skilful lad losing energy finally perished' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'skilful' could be 'able' (I've seen this before) and 'able' is found within the answer.
'lad' could be 'ed' and 'ed' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for able-bodied that I've seen before include "Not physically unfit" , "Physically strong and healthy" .)