Dots and dashes (5,4)
I believe the answer is:
morse code
'dots and dashes' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for morse code that I've seen before include "A way to signal" , "Signalling language" , "Means of signalling by dots and dashes" , "Way of sending message" , "Signalling system of dots and dashes" .)