Instance of flogging for all to see in hostilities (7)
I believe the answer is:
auction
'instance' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
'of flogging for all to see in hostilities' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is present in the answer.
'see' could be 'c' (the word for the letter, according to Chambers) and 'c' is found in the answer.
'in' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for auction that I've seen before include "Competitive sale" , "Public sale with lots" , "Public sale - type of bridge" , "A lot will be seen in this" , "Lots are sold here!" .)