Crossword Genius

Fool here essentially gets to speak in a barely audible voice (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mutter

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'a barely audible voice' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'fool here essentially gets to speak' is the wordplay.
'fool here essentially' becomes 'm' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'gets' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'to speak' becomes 'utter' (synonyms).
'm'+'utter'='MUTTER'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mutter that I've seen before include "carp, > grouse and > beef" , "Talk under one's breath" , "Lack of energy" , "Speak indistinctly or grumble" , "Talk indistinctly in a low voice - a German mother" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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