Defeat cut short by fight in high range (8)
I believe the answer is:
falsetto
'defeat cut' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'by fight in high range' is the wordplay.
'by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'fight' becomes 'setto' (set-to can mean a fight or argument).
'in high range' becomes 'fal' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'setto' put after 'fal' is 'FALSETTO'.
'short' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for falsetto that I've seen before include "Flat toes (anag.)" , "Forcedly high voice" , "high notes?" , "Note production" , "High-pitched voice above natural range" .)