Helmsman, crossing bridge finally, first to get on (7)
I believe the answer is:
coexist
'get on' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I don't understand how one could define the other.
'helmsman crossing bridge finally first to' is the wordplay.
'helmsman' becomes 'cox' (cox is a kind of helmsman).
'crossing' is an insertion indicator.
'finally' indicates one should take the final letters.
'first to' becomes 'ist' (I've seen this in other clues).
The final letter of 'bridge' is 'e'.
'cox' enclosing 'e' is 'coex'.
'coex'+'ist'='COEXIST'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for coexist that I've seen before include "Live together peacefully" , "Live side by side" , "Get along together" , "Live together in harmony" , "Avoid conflict" .)