Is it heard as a hoarse utterance? (5)
I believe the answer is:
neigh
'a hoarse utterance?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.
'is it heard' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'it' could be 'e' ('e' can mean 'electronic' which is similar to 'IT') and 'e' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'nigh' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'as' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for neigh that I've seen before include "High-pitched cry of a horse" , "Horse's whinny" , "Whinnying noise" , "Animal noise (expressing 3?)" , "Horse's cry" .)