Half-open - attempt getting in (5)
I believe the answer is:
entry
'in' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.
'half-open attempt getting' is the wordplay.
'half' indicates taking half.
'attempt' becomes 'try' (synonyms).
'getting' says to put letters next to each other.
'open' halved is 'en'.
'en'+'try'='ENTRY'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for entry that I've seen before include "Door; appearance" , "candidate" , "Admission" , "Competitor" , "Opening" .)