Old flame heard to say why, for example, one was inconstant (8)
I believe the answer is:
variable
'inconstant' is the definition.
(associated in meaning)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for variable that I've seen before include "Not steady or regular" , "Inconsistent" , "mathematician's expression" , "Liable to change" , "can be changed" .)