Start sniggering in the north briefly to express indignation, perhaps (5)
I believe the answer is:
snort
'express indignation perhaps' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'start sniggering in the north briefly' is the wordplay.
'start' says to take the initial letters.
'in the north' becomes 'North' (synonyms).
'briefly' means to remove the last letter.
The first letter of 'sniggering' is 's'.
'north' with its final letter taken away is 'nort'.
's'+'nort'='SNORT'
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for snort that I've seen before include "Make derisive noise" , "drink, a quickie" , "Chortle" , "Noisily express indignation" , "Derisive noise made through nose" .)