It can be stroked (3)
I believe the answer is:
ego
'it can be stroked' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for ego that I've seen before include "See 21 Down" , "Aspect of the personality" , "Conscious mind" , "Self-esteem, conceit" , "One's image of oneself" .)