Good rate given to directors for stationery item (9)
I believe the answer is:
clipboard
'stationery item' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'good rate given to directors' is the wordplay.
'good rate' becomes 'clip' (I've seen this in another clue).
'given to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'directors' becomes 'board' (board of directors).
'clip'+'board'='CLIPBOARD'
'for' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for clipboard that I've seen before include "What may lie behind writing" , "text-copying facility" .)