Nominally a stuffy figure? (3)
I believe the answer is:
guy
'figure?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for guy that I've seen before include "Cable, wire etc used to brace something" , "Bonfire night effigy" , "Rope; man's name" , "One burned on Nov. fifth" , "Make fun of - fellow" .)