Brother, one of the first to cushion blow, disheartened (8)
I believe the answer is:
capuchin
'brother' is the definition.
(Capuchin is a type of monk)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for capuchin that I've seen before include "Religious order; woman's pointed hood and cloak resembling the habit" , "Franciscan friar - cha in cup (anag)" , "Monk - monkey - china cup (anag)" , "Monkey with a head like a monk's cowl" , "Friar; cloak and hood" .)