Ringing a second best about a best friend (6)
I believe the answer is:
basset
'a best friend' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.
'ringing a second best about' is the wordplay.
'ringing' is an insertion indicator (some letters go round or 'ring' others).
'second' becomes 's' (common abbreviation).
'about' is an anagram indicator.
'a'+'s'='as'
'best' with letters rearranged gives 'bset'.
'as' put within 'bset' is 'BASSET'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for basset that I've seen before include "Short-legged hound used for hunting (6)Short-legged hound used for hunting" , "Hound (named Fred?)" , "Sturdy hunting dog" , "Low, smooth-haired breed of hound" , "Hare-hunting hound among beasts" .)