Endearment one may find with a comb (5)
I believe the answer is:
honey
'endearment one' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'with a comb' is the wordplay.
'with' indicates putting letters inside.
'a' becomes 'one'.
'comb' becomes 'hy' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'one' put into 'hy' is 'HONEY'.
'may find' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for honey that I've seen before include "Nectar product" , "Sweet food" , "Produce of bees" , "Product of bees; darling" , "Beloved" .)