To many a man, just a pompous little girl (5)
I believe the answer is:
madam
'a pompous little girl' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'to many a man' is the wordplay.
'to many' becomes 'm' (Roman numeral for a thousand).
'a man' becomes 'adam' (Adam is an example).
'm'+'adam'='MADAM'
'just' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for madam that I've seen before include "Palindrome used in speaking politely to a woman" , "Conceited girl (colloq.)" , "Polite form of address for a woman" , "Stuck-up girl" , "Leader of House of Congress" .)