Clenched hand initially removes the central part (4)
I believe the answer is:
fist
'clenched hand' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'initially removes the central part' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'initially' could be 'ist' (ist resembles 1st) and 'ist' is present in the answer.
A single letter 'f' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for fist that I've seen before include "duke" , "handwriting?" , "Tightly-closed hand" , "Balled hand" , "Hand with the fingers clenched in the palm" .)