One hears it being broken (7)

I believe the answer is:

silence

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'one' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

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(Other definitions for silence that I've seen before include "License (anag)" , "Gag" , "Soundlessness" , "Absence of racket" , "Quietude" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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