Fancy Nicholas being a doubter at heart (5)
I believe the answer is:
cynic
'heart' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'fancy nicholas being a doubter' is the wordplay.
'CYNIC' is hidden in amongst the letters.
However, I am unsure how the hidden word is indicated.
'at' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cynic that I've seen before include "One thinking the worst" , "one with little faith in human nature" , "Doubter of others' motives" , "Person who is generally sceptical" , "One who questions the worth of anything" .)