Real adversity oddly bypassed first-born (6)
I believe the answer is:
eldest
'first-born' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'real adversity oddly' is the wordplay.
'oddly' indicates alternate letters.
'real'+'adversity'='realadversity'
The alternating letters of 'realadversity' are 'ELDEST'.
'bypassed' acts as a link.
This may not be correct. It may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eldest that I've seen before include "First in the order of birth" , "Most senior of a group" , "Most senior (E, not O)" , "Most advanced in age, led set (anag.)" , "Of greatest age" .)