Note above plate — fish caught by eccentric character (5,4)
I believe the answer is:
place card
'note above plate' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'fish caught by eccentric character' is the wordplay.
'fish' becomes 'plaice' (plaice is a kind of fish).
'caught' shows a homophone (sound like) (heard).
'by eccentric character' becomes 'card' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'plaice' sounds like 'place'.
'place'+'card'='PLACE CARD'
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in The Times.
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