Alibi of French dealer in stolen goods (7)
I believe the answer is:
defence
'alibi' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'of french dealer in stolen goods' is the wordplay.
'of french' becomes 'de' ('of' in French).
'dealer in stolen goods' becomes 'fence' (I've seen this in another clue).
'de'+'fence'='DEFENCE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for defence that I've seen before include "Protection from harm" , "Act of keeping safe from danger" , "Military protection" , "The D in MoD" , "Weaponry, possibly" .)