### Clue: Irregular verb nearly split by definition (8)
### Answer: PERVERSE 
 ### Explanation: Definition: Irregular
  VER("verb" without its last letter,nearly) **contained in**(split) PER SE(Latin for "by itself",inherently defined,without reference to extrinsic circumstances/factors – by definition, I suppose)
Defn:  Deliberately deviating from what is good or proper.  I suppose that would be "irregular".