One can make sense of a coiling formulation (8)
I believe the answer is:
logician
'one can' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.
'sense of a coiling formulation' is the wordplay.
'a coiling' can be anagrammed to 'LOGICIAN'.
Though, I'm not sure how this is indicated.
'make' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for logician that I've seen before include "One who clearly thinks" , "Strict reasoner" , "Reasoned thinker" , "Expert reasoner" , "Rigorous reasoner" .)