Republican first lady left to take part in noisy festivities (5)
I believe the answer is:
revel
'take part in noisy festivities' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'republican first lady left' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'republican' could be 'r' (abbreviation in US politics) and 'r' is found in the answer.
'lady' could be 'eve' (woman's name) and 'eve' is located in the answer.
'left' could be 'l' (common abbreviation) and 'l' is found within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for revel that I've seen before include "Have noisy fun" , "Have a few drinks etc." , "Celebrate with a lever, strangely" , "Take part in lively and noisy festivities" , "Make merry; luxuriate (in)" .)