Fresher after this first degree? (5)
I believe the answer is:
tonic
'fresher after this first degree?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'after this first degree?' is the wordplay.
'after this' becomes 'toni' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'first' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'degree?' becomes 'C' (C is an example).
'toni'+'c'='TONIC'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tonic that I've seen before include "something providing a boost" , "Accompaniment to gin?" , "shot in the arm" , "Stimulus" , "medicinal preparation" .)