Crossword Genius

A little hope, perhaps, but not much enlightenment (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gleam

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'hope perhaps but not much enlightenment' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'a little' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'a' is within the answer.
'little' could be 'l' (abbreviation) and 'l' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'gem' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gleam that I've seen before include "Small stream of light" , "Moderate glow" , "Glimmer, lustre" , "Glint" , "Glisten" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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