Philosophical German soldier supporting King (4)
I believe the answer is:
kant
'philosophical german' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'soldier supporting king' is the wordplay.
'soldier' becomes 'ant' (soldier is a type of ant).
'supporting' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (in a down clue, some letters go below others).
'king' becomes 'k' (chess abbreviation).
'ant' after 'k' is 'KANT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for kant that I've seen before include "Immanuel --, German philosopher" , "Idealist" .)