Like cold water, it can be poured on things (5)
I believe the answer is:
scorn
'it can be poured on things' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'like cold water' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'cold' could be 'c' (eg on taps) and 'c' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'sorn' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for scorn that I've seen before include "Disgust" , "Extreme contempt" , "Utter contempt" , "Look at with disdain" , "Hold in contempt" .)