Man honoured in wake, spirit finally released (3)
I believe the answer is:
sir
'man' is the definition.
(I know that sir is a type of man)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sir that I've seen before include "Respectful address for a man" , "Honourable title" , "Formal and deferential address to a man" , "Way to address gentleman" , "Title of knight or baronet" .)