Principal expression curtailed for early course? (7)
I believe the answer is:
starter
'early course?' is the definition.
'starter' can be an answer for 'course?' (course of a meal). I am not certain of the 'early' bit.
'principal expression curtailed' is the wordplay.
'principal' becomes 'star' (synonyms).
'expression' becomes 'term' (both can mean a piece of vocabulary).
'curtailed' means to remove the last letter.
'term' with its final letter removed is 'ter'.
'star'+'ter'='STARTER'
'for' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for starter that I've seen before include "Race gun firer" , "One giving signal to begin race" , "First course for beginner" , "First course of meal" , "Beginner, or opening course of meal" .)