A pool in the canteen (4)
I believe the answer is:
ante
'a pool' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to property as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'in the canteen' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'ANTE' is hidden within 'canteen'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ante that I've seen before include "Pre-deal stake" , "Pay" , "Initial contribution to the common pot" , "Money put at risk" , "Prefix meaning before" .)