What does the cryptic crossword clue "What hibernator hopefully does about say soldiers returning with spades (9)" mean?

The wordplay uses a reversal. RE (synonym="=about, regarding") + EMERGE (synonym="E.G.=say + REME=soldiers, i.e. Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; “returning” indicates reversal") + S (synonym="=spades, in cards") = REEMERGES The answer is REEMERGES.

What hibernator hopefully does about say soldiers returning with spades (9)

Independent Cryptic #11629 | 3 Down | 2024-01-18 flower

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