Give little credit to a fool showing this kind of stupidity (5)
I believe the answer is:
crass
'this kind of stupidity' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'give little credit to a fool' is the wordplay.
'give' says to put letters next to each other.
'little credit' becomes 'cr' (abbreviation. I am not sure about the 'little' bit.).
'to a fool' becomes 'ass' (both can mean a stupid person).
'cr' put next to 'ass' is 'CRASS'.
'showing' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for crass that I've seen before include "Totally lacking in sensibility" , "Coarse" , "Boorish about scars" , "Grossly insensitive" , "Indelicate" .)