Allowing time to produce an idea (7)
I believe the answer is:
thought
'idea' is the definition.
('thought' can be a synonym of 'idea')
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for thought that I've seen before include "Supposed" , "Reflection" , "Cogitated" , "Fancy" , "Orwell's sort of police" .)