Doctor initially making short order (5)
I believe the answer is:
medic
'doctor initially' is the definition.
'medic' can be an answer for 'doctor' (doctor is a type of medic). I'm not sure about the 'initially' bit.
'making short order' is the wordplay.
'making' becomes 'm' (this could be a standard abbreviation of which I'm unaware).
'short' means to remove the last letter.
'order' becomes 'edict' (synonyms).
'edict' with its last letter removed is 'edic'.
'm'+'edic'='MEDIC'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for medic that I've seen before include "Eg, doctor" , "What was Basutoland" , "Physician (informal)" , "Word for 'doctor'" , "He may offer treatment" .)