Now and ever, not even the recipient? (9)
I believe the answer is:
presentee
'the recipient?' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'now and ever not even' is the wordplay.
'now' becomes 'present' (I've seen this before).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'not even' means one should take alternating letters (remove even-numbered letters).
The alternating letters of 'ever' are 'ee'.
'present'+'ee'='PRESENTEE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for presentee that I've seen before include "someone brought to court?" , "Maybe new clergyman's" , "One recommended for position" .)