Gives the boot back to foot, say (5)
I believe the answer is:
serif
'foot say' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'gives the boot back' is the wordplay.
'gives' becomes 's' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'the boot' becomes 'fire' (I've seen this in another clue).
'back' says the letters should be written backwards.
'fire' written backwards gives 'erif'.
's'+'erif'='SERIF'
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for serif that I've seen before include "addition to character?" , "Small line used in printing type" , "Projection on a letter in some fonts" , "Projection at a letter's end" , "Line on written letters" .)