Dashes to represent Tom in this? (5,4)
I believe the answer is:
morse code
'dashes to represent tom in this?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for morse code that I've seen before include "Dot-dash alphabet" , "Signalling system of dots and dashes" , "Means to communicate" , "Means of signalling by dots and dashes" , "Way of sending message" .)