Sylphlike creature able to hearten tipsters (6)
I believe the answer is:
sprite
'sylphlike creature' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sprite that I've seen before include "Puck, say" , "Naiad" , "Brownie" , "Nimble elf-like creature - icon in computer game" , "Goblin, elf or imp" .)