Ancient skill in bridge (7)
I believe the answer is:
spartan
'ancient' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'skill in bridge' is the wordplay.
'skill' becomes 'art' (both can mean a talent).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'bridge' becomes 'span' (synonyms).
'art' inserted into 'span' is 'SPARTAN'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for spartan that I've seen before include "Indifferent to comfort" , "Bleak - rigorous - austere" , "Very strict - austere" , "Frugal" , "Austere - disciplined" .)