A lad to try out with hesitation? (5)
I believe the answer is:
terry
'a lad' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.
'try out with hesitation?' is the wordplay.
'try out' becomes 'try' (synonyms).
'with' indicates putting letters inside.
'hesitation?' becomes 'er' (sound made while hesitating - um, er).
'try' enclosing 'er' is 'TERRY'.
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for terry that I've seen before include "Loop of pile fabric; England footballer" , "Terence (dim.)" , "What could be material" , "A man" , "Towelling fabric" .)