Formal American word meaning "first" (6)
I believe the answer is:
primus
'word meaning first' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.
'formal american' is the wordplay.
'formal' becomes 'prim' (I've seen this before).
'american' becomes 'us' (abbreviation for United States).
'prim'+'us'='PRIMUS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for primus that I've seen before include "Scottish bishop" , "Camping stove brand" , "Bishop; stove" , "Portable cooking stove for campers" , "cooker" .)