A or the (7)
(Other definitions for item that I've seen before include "two with a link" , "Single thing, poor mite" , "'One thing, poor mite (4)'" , "Article (on list or in news)" , "One thing among many" .)
'a or the' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for article that I've seen before include "'The', definitely" , "Recital (anag.)" , "Feature - item" , "For instance, a" , "leader" .)